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

• nonrecoverable
  adjective
• recoverability
  noun
• recoverableness
  noun
• 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.

Example Sentences

The question will be how long that will take, and whether Mercedes' advantage in the championships is by then realistically recoverable.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Copper production fell to 662 million recoverable pounds from 868 million the year before.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

These materials are often considered waste, but they may still contain valuable elements that were not economically recoverable at the time.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

“Any fines and penalties incurred in connection with the Eaton Fire will not be recoverable from insurance, from the Wildfire Fund, or through electric rates.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

The land mass of Texas is rich in recoverable spoil.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck