retrieve

[ ri-treev ]

/ rɪˈtriv /

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See synonyms for: retrieve / retrieved / retrieving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), re·trieved, re·triev·ing.

to recover or regain: to retrieve the stray ball.

to bring back to a former and better state; restore: to retrieve one's fortunes.

to make amends for: to retrieve an error.

to make good; repair: to retrieve a loss.

Hunting. (of hunting dogs) to fetch (killed or wounded game).

to draw back or reel in (a fishing line).

to rescue; save.

(in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) to make an in-bounds return of (a shot requiring running with the hand extended).

Computers. to locate and read (data) from storage, as for display on a monitor.

verb (used without object), re·trieved, re·triev·ing.

Hunting. to retrieve game.

to retrieve a fishing line.

noun

an act of retrieving; recovery.

the possibility of recovery.

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Origin of retrieve

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English retreven, from Middle French retroev-, retreuv-, tonic stem of retrouver “to find again,” equivalent to re-re- + trouver “to find”; see trover

synonym study for retrieve

1. See recover.

OTHER WORDS FROM retrieve

re·triev·a·ble, adjectivere·triev·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·re·triev·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·triev·a·ble, adjective

un·re·trieved, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use retrieve in a sentence

I may be missing some time and there are memories that will never be retrieved.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She retrieved a cigarette from her purse and lit it without moving her face away from the screen.
I Watched a Casino Kill Itself: The Awful Last Nights of Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal|Olivia Nuzzi|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the report, IntelCrawler published a screenshot of an email retrieved from a site used by the group.
The Kardashian Look-Alike Trolling for Assad|Noah Shachtman, Michael Kennedy|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the family hunted for anything personal that could be retrieved, they were startled when the phone began to ring.
Life Under Air Strikes: Children Under Fire Will Never Forget — or Forgive|Clive Irving|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The police officer passed by, asked her what was wrong and retrieved the money.
Liberia’s Child Prostitutes|Clair MacDougall|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nevertheless, under favorable conditions the situation might have been retrieved.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane
Even if ordinary skill were out of the question, ordinary resolution would quickly have retrieved the initial reverses.
Argentina|W. A. Hirst
The morning paper was tossed carelessly against the steps—and as he retrieved it, he noticed that this was the 15th day of June.
The Tunnel Under The World|Frederik Pohl
Then he felt that he had in a manner retrieved himself, and could retire from the five-o'clock cocktails with honor.
Questionable Shapes|William Dean Howells
She did not sleep that night, and in those dark hours she determined that the past should be retrieved.
For John's Sake|Annie Frances Perram

British Dictionary definitions for retrieve

retrieve

/ (rɪˈtriːv) /

verb (mainly tr)

to get or fetch back again; recoverhe retrieved his papers from various people's drawers

to bring back to a more satisfactory state; revive

to extricate from trouble or danger; rescue or save

to recover or make newly available (stored information) from a computer system

(also intr) (of a dog) to find and fetch (shot game)

tennis squash badminton to return successfully (a shot difficult to reach)

to recall; remember

noun

the act of retrieving

the chance of being retrieved

Derived forms of retrieve

retrievable, adjectiveretrievability, nounretrievably, adverb

Word Origin for retrieve

C15: from Old French retrover, from re- + trouver to find, perhaps from Vulgar Latin tropāre (unattested) to compose; see trover, troubadour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

retrieve

Origin of retrieve

synonym study for retrieve

OTHER WORDS FROM retrieve

Words related to retrieve

How to use retrieve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for retrieve

Derived forms of retrieve

Word Origin for retrieve