recoverable

American  

[ri-kuhv-er-uh-buhl] / rɪˈkʌv ər ə bəl /

adjective

1. able to recover or be recovered.

   a patient now believed to be recoverable; recoverable losses on his investments.

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Other Word Forms

• recoverability
  noun
• recoverableness
  noun
• nonrecoverable
  adjective
• unrecoverable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of recoverable

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at recover, -able

Explanation

If something is recoverable, you can get it back. If you drop your eyeglasses over the side of the boat, but the water is crystal clear and somebody is willing to dive for them, they may be recoverable. Economists use the term “recoverable resources” to refer to oil, gas, and coal that can be extracted from the earth economically. If you've just insulated the walls of your house and replaced the old, drafty windows with new energy-efficient ones, some of your costs may be recoverable through savings on your heating bills and tax refunds for energy efficiency. If you delete something by mistake on your computer, you'll be very relieved if you find it's recoverable.