recover
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to get back or regain (something lost or taken away).
to recover a stolen watch.
-
to make up for or make good (loss, damage, etc., to oneself ).
-
to regain the strength, composure, balance, or the like, of (oneself ).
-
Law.
-
to obtain by judgment in a court of law, or by legal proceedings.
to recover damages for a wrong.
-
to acquire title to through judicial process.
to recover land.
-
-
to reclaim from a bad state, practice, etc.
-
to regain (a substance) in usable form, as from refuse material or from a waste product or by-product of manufacture; reclaim.
-
Military. to return (a weapon) to a previously held position in the manual of arms.
-
Football. to gain or regain possession of (a fumble).
They recovered the ball on their own 20-yard line.
verb (used without object)
-
to regain health after being sick, wounded, or the like (often followed byfrom ).
to recover from an illness.
- Synonyms:
- rally, recuperate, mend, heal
-
to regain a former and better state or condition.
The city soon recovered from the effects of the earthquake.
-
to regain one's strength, composure, balance, etc.
-
Law. to obtain a favorable judgment in a suit for something.
-
Football. to gain or regain possession of a fumble.
The Giants recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
-
to make a recovery in fencing or rowing.
verb
-
(tr) to find again or obtain the return of (something lost)
-
to regain (loss of money, position, time, etc); recoup
-
(of a person) to regain (health, spirits, composure, etc), as after illness, a setback, or a shock, etc
-
to regain (a former and usually better condition)
industry recovered after the war
-
law
-
(tr) to gain (something) by the judgment of a court of law
to recover damages
-
(intr) to succeed in a lawsuit
-
-
(tr) to obtain (useful substances) from waste
-
(intr) (in fencing, swimming, rowing, etc) to make a recovery
Related Words
Recover, reclaim, retrieve are to regain literally or figuratively something or someone. To recover is to obtain again what one has lost possession of: to recover a stolen jewel. To reclaim is to bring back from error or wrongdoing, or from a rude or undeveloped state: to reclaim desert land by irrigation. To retrieve is to bring back or restore, especially something to its former, prosperous state: to retrieve one's fortune.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of recover
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English recoveren, from Middle French recoverer, from Latin recuperāre “to regain”; see origin at recuperate
Explanation
To recover something is to get it back. After you lose your watch, you might recover it from the wastebasket. The re- in recover is a clue that this word has "again" as part of its meaning. We can only recover things that we had before. Often, this word applies to health. Someone who is sick needs to recover — when they're totally recovered, they're all better. If the stock market crashes, it needs to recover — this happens when the market is healthier and money is flowing again. It's good to recover, but it means something bad happened in the first place.
Vocabulary lists containing recover
Stamp Act (1765)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Essential English Vocabulary, List 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Word Generation Weekly - Series 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, Betley believes the continued activity of SF1 neurons after exercise may help the body recover more efficiently by improving how stored glucose is used.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
Many cruise lines require travelers to isolate in their cabins if they have an infectious disease—sometimes even after they recover, if the cruise is still going.
From Slate • May 16, 2026
In Yellowstone National Park, their return has been praised with reducing the overabundant elk population and allowing decimated trees such as willows and aspen to recover, which subsequently brought the return of beavers and songbirds.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
"It was simply the end of a long fight to recover money that CMS had no right to take in the first place."
From BBC • May 15, 2026
Emma understood him; and as soon as she could recover from the flutter of pleasure, excited by such tender consideration, replied,
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
