convalescent

American  

[kon-vuh-les-uhnt] / ˌkɒn vəˈlɛs ənt /

adjective

1. convalescing.

2. of or relating to convalescence or convalescing persons.

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noun

1. a person who is convalescing.

Other Word Forms

• convalescently adverb
• postconvalescent adjective

Etymology

Origin of convalescent

1650–60; < Latin convalēscent- (stem of convalēscēns ), present participle of convalēscere to convalesce; -ent

Explanation

A person who's recovering from an illness is a convalescent. As a convalescent recovering from surgery, your grandmother would probably love some company to cheer her and help pass the time. Convalescent, as an adjective, can describe the period of recovery or anything related to the process of returning to health, like a convalescent program of physical therapy or a convalescent ward at a hospital. As a noun, a convalescent is a person who is recovering from being sick. The origin of convalescent is the Latin root valescere, which means "to begin to grow strong."

Example Sentences

Born in Helsinki, Schjerfbeck permanently injured her hip in a childhood fall and apparently began to draw as a convalescent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

Perhaps the most pitiful image was of elderly residents being evacuated from a convalescent home in the city of Altadena, where the Eaton fire currently spans more than 2,000 acres.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025

She bounced around, from LA’s notorious Skid Row to various convalescent homes while her daughter lived at a shelter.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2023

Chandler died June 10 at a Corona convalescent home where she lived for several years, according to her friends.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2023

For that reason we did not spend a convalescent leave together.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway