repairre‧pair1 /rɪˈpeə $ -ˈper/ ●●○ verb [transitive] 
to fix something that is damaged, broken, split, or not working properly SYN mend British English: 
Dad was up the ladder, repairing the roof. Where can I get my shoes repaired?2formal to do something to remove harm that you have caused SYN mend British English: Neil tried to repair the damage that his statements had caused. → irreparablerepair to something phrasal verb old-fashioned to go to a place: Shall we repair to the drawing room?—repairer noun [countable]THESAURUSrepair to do some work on something that is damaged or not working properly, so that it is in good condition again: · The builders are coming to repair the roof.· Have you had the washing machine repaired yet?fix especially American English to repair something: · I’m taking the car in to get it fixed.· The chain on the bike needs fixing.mend especially British English to repair something that is damaged, torn, or not working: · I’ve found someone who’ll mend the fence.· Can you mend this sweater for me?· Fishermen sat mending their nets in the sunshine.service to check a vehicle or machine and repair it if necessary, especially regularly: · You should have your car serviced every six months.· When was the last time we had the gas boiler serviced?renovate to repair an old building so that it looks in good condition again: · They bought an old house and renovated it themselves.restore to repair something old and valuable, especially a building, piece of furniture, painting etc, so that it looks the same as it did originally: · Many paintings were damaged in the fire but have now been restored.· The hotel was restored to its original Victorian splendour in 1984.do up British English informal, fix up American English informal to repair an old building or vehicle, so that it looks in good condition again: · He does up old cars and sells them.· A builder bought the house and fixed it up.patch something up to quickly repair something that has a hole in it, by putting a piece of material on it, especially temporarily: · They patched up the wall with bits of cement.darn to repair holes in clothes: · Are you any good at darning socks?
WORD ORIGINrepair1
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French reparer, from Latin reparare, from parare ‘to prepare’VERB TABLE
repair
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | repair |
| he, she, it | repairs | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | repaired |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have repaired |
| he, she, it | has repaired | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had repaired |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will repair |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have repaired |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am repairing |
| he, she, it | is repairing | |
| you, we, they | are repairing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was repairing |
| you, we, they | were repairing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been repairing |
| he, she, it | has been repairing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been repairing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be repairing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been repairing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Builders spent several weeks repairing the roof.
- How much will it cost to have the TV repaired?
- Jones had cosmetic surgery to repair the damage to his face.
- The first step in repairing a relationship is a willingness to communicate.
- The plane was too badly damaged to be repaired.
- They had to move out while the condo was being repaired.
- He spent several weeks in hospital, and needed three operations to repair his damaged liver.
- I want to learn how to repair shoes.
- It can repair the shattered beliefs and, sometimes, the ailing soul of an organization gone awry.
- So he repaired the sidewalks in the other two areas, but left residents of the third to walk in the mud.
- The roof will need to be repaired and properly flashed to the new chimney.
- The streets would be swept clear, the buildings replaced and rebuilt or repaired.
- Willis underwent two operations by Patzakis to repair the injury, which involved controlling the infection and transplanting bone from his pelvis.
THESAURUS
to do some work on something that is damaged or not working properly, so that it is in good condition again: · The builders are coming to repair the roof.· Have you had the washing machine repaired yet?
especially American English to repair something: · I’m taking the car in to get it fixed.· The chain on the bike needs fixing.
especially British English to repair something that is damaged, torn, or not working: · I’ve found someone who’ll mend the fence.· Can you mend this sweater for me?· Fishermen sat mending their nets in the sunshine.
to check a vehicle or machine and repair it if necessary, especially regularly: · You should have your car serviced every six months.· When was the last time we had the gas boiler serviced?
to repair an old building so that it looks in good condition again: · They bought an old house and renovated it themselves.
to repair something old and valuable, especially a building, piece of furniture, painting etc, so that it looks the same as it did originally: · Many paintings were damaged in the fire but have now been restored.· The hotel was restored to its original Victorian splendour in 1984.
British English informal, fix up American English informal to repair an old building or vehicle, so that it looks in good condition again: · He does up old cars and sells them.· A builder bought the house and fixed it up.
to quickly repair something that has a hole in it, by putting a piece of material on it, especially temporarily: · They patched up the wall with bits of cement.
to repair holes in clothes: · Are you any good at darning socks?
Longman Language Activatorto repair something that is broken or damaged if you repair something that is broken or not working properly, you work on it so that it is in good condition again: · Builders spent several weeks repairing the roof.· The plane was too badly damaged to be repaired.get/have something repaired (=pay someone else to repair it): · How much will it cost to have the TV repaired?
to repair a machine or piece of equipment that is broken or not working properly: · I'll need to fix the boat before we can go out in it.get/have something fixed (=pay someone else to fix it): · I must get my camera fixed before we go to France.
to repair something that is broken or not working, or something that has a hole in it. In American English mend is usually used about clothing: · The children are taught to mend their own clothes.· I called a service engineer in to mend the lift.
to repair something that has a hole in quickly and not very thoroughly so that it is good enough to be used again for a short period of time: patch up something: · We managed to patch up the roof enough to stop it leaking.patch something up: · The boat's got a hole in the side, but I'm just going to try and patch it up for now.
to thoroughly examine a machine, vehicle, or piece of equipment and repair it if necessary: · The engine has been overhauled and runs much more smoothly now.completely overhaul: · All the electrical wiring in the house was being completely overhauled because of the risk of fire.
to examine a vehicle or machine, especially at fixed regular times, and repair it if necessary: · All our machinery is serviced regularly.· When was the plane last serviced?have something serviced (=pay someone else to service it): · You should have your car serviced every six months.
to repair something old to make it look or work like a new one to thoroughly repair something, especially an old building, so that it looks as it did when it was first made: · The old theatre has been completely renovated and re-fitted.· We decided to buy an old house and renovate it ourselves.· He bought six old bicycles and renovated them.
to repair and clean an old and valuable building, vehicle, or work of art: · The building has been carefully restored after the fire.· Experts are still working to restore the painting.· He spent almost three years restoring a 1922 Rolls Royce.
British informal /fix up American informal to repair an old vehicle or building so that it looks like a new one, especially as a way of making money: do/fix up something: · He does up old cars and sells them.do/fix something up: · A builder bought the house and fixed it up.
a reconditioned engine, motor, washing machine etc is an old machine that has been thoroughly repaired so that it works like a new one: · I managed to buy a reconditioned engine quite cheaply.· a shop selling new and reconditioned washing machines
work done to repair something · Who will pay for the repairs?repairs to · The insurance will cover the cost of all repairs to the vehicle.make/do/carry out repairs · Builders are carrying out repairs to the roof and walls.
regular work done to check, clean, and repair something so that it keeps working properly or remains in good condition: · The Highways Department is responsible for the construction and maintenance of bridges and roads.car/motorcycle etc maintenance: · I knew nothing about car maintenance when I first bought my car.routine maintenance (=simple and regular maintenance): · The fault was discovered during routine maintenance work.
an examination of a vehicle or machine that is done regularly to check that it is working properly and see if any repairs are necessary: · We recommend an annual service for all central heating boilers.· My car's due for service - I'll book it into a garage next week.· Any major problems with the car should be picked up at the 5,000 mile service.
a thorough examination of a machine, vehicle, or piece of equipment, making repairs if necessary: · The electrical system needs a complete overhaul.· Work on the overhaul of the boiler has just started.
a process of making small changes and repairs to an engine so that it works as well as possible: · It's about time to take the car in for a tune-up again.· If you give the engine regular tune-ups, it will last much longer.
too badly damaged to be repaired too badly damaged to be repaired - use this about objects, buildings, and vehicles: · Unfortunately, the engine is beyond repair.be damaged beyond repair: · A lot of the furniture had been damaged beyond repair.
irreparable damage or harm to objects, buildings, or vehicles cannot be repaired: · The explosion caused irreparable damage to several buildings.· The forest suffered irreparable damage as a result of last year's fire.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Where can I get my shoes repaired? Neil tried to repair the damage that his statements had caused.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
Where can I get my shoes repaired? Neil tried to repair the damage that his statements had caused. (=impossible to repair, control, believe etc) Scott’s equipment was damaged beyond repair. The town centre had changed beyond all recognition. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the performance has had to be cancelled.
Scott’s equipment was damaged beyond repair. The town centre had changed beyond all recognition. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the performance has had to be cancelled.· The cost of repairing the damage could be around £300 million.
· School buildings should be kept in a good state of repair.
· The ship is currently undergoing extensive repairs.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· For there is a tremendous difference between, let us say, repairing a bridge and building one.· In essence, the effect is a little like repairing the bridges on the Rhine River after the war.· The Jacobites in fact opted for Crossford, where they repaired the bridge, and on 1 December marched on to Macclesfield.
· After many disputes involving privileges and revenues of the See, he set about repairing the buildings in the diocese.· For there is a tremendous difference between, let us say, repairing a bridge and building one.· Our first step was to set up an independent trust to repair the building.
· I ask for assistance to repair my car.· Ultimately, motorists will have to repair their cars or lose their registration.· Employing mechanics at, say, £3 per hour the workshop repairs cars for a charge of £10 per hour.· It took longer to repair her car than it did to undo her marriage, she says.
· The cost of repairing such defects comes under the maintenance of the plant.· Coding cost is nearly irrelevant compared to the cost of repairing error-prone modules.· The seller offered to meet half the cost of repairing the dynamo.· There was no reason to put in temporary facilities months ahead of time because of the cost of maintaining and repairing them.· After a few weeks other problems appeared and the plaintiff sued for the cost of repairing them.· So far, it has emerged that the cost of repairing damaged roads will alone hit the £1m mark.· It was estimated that the cost of repairing damaged roads alone will run to £1m.
· The damage had been repaired before delivery to the dealer -; at a cost of £50.· It is hoped that the worst of the damage will be repaired over the next two to three years.· Even with the outside damage repaired the house on the Rose Hill estate is hardly inviting.
· I wonder why they didn't repair the house.· Even with the outside damage repaired the house on the Rose Hill estate is hardly inviting.· When people employ a builder to repair their house, they will probably want to agree a price beforehand.
· He spent several weeks in hospital, and needed three operations to repair his damaged liver.· Willis underwent two operations by Patzakis to repair the injury, which involved controlling the infection and transplanting bone from his pelvis.· When she was thirty-six, she had had an operation to repair a uterine prolapse.· Once here he will have an operation to repair a cleft palate by plastic surgeon Charles Viva.
· Sir William Horne, salter, left 500 marks for repairing the road to Cambridge.· And as soon as that happens, Mr Lee can think about getting his scooter repaired and on the road again.· So far, it has emerged that the cost of repairing damaged roads will alone hit the £1m mark.· It was estimated that the cost of repairing damaged roads alone will run to £1m.
· Check and repair the roof, woodwork, windows, doors, pointing, plumbing, heating, and so on.
· Roebuck's ankle required surgery to repair the lateral and medial ligaments.· HOUSTONRight before Geni Hefner had plastic surgery to repair her battered face, she sat in her apartment and recalled the horror.· A Flight Lieutenant underwent surgery to repair a broken blood vessel in the brain.· Louis in the Royce Clayton deal, underwent arthroscopic surgery last Saturday to repair a small tear in his pitching shoulder.· She still faces further surgery to repair her eyelids, which we re partially destroyed and do not fully close.
· They needed to repair the crumbling walls of their draughty homes, too.· Even if the masonry wall is so unstable it is moving, it can be repaired and the walls made safe.· One particularly curious example was found this year by a warden repairing a wall at Studland in Dorset.· Not only were tables and ceilings repaired, walls painted, and floors patched, but a special project began as well.
WORD FAMILYnounrepairdisrepairadjectiverepairableirreparableverbrepairadverbirreparably
1to fix something that is damaged, broken, split, or not working properly SYN mend British English: Dad was up the ladder, repairing the roof. Where can I get my shoes repaired?2formal to do something to remove harm that you have caused SYN mend British English: Neil tried to repair the damage that his statements had caused. → irreparablerepair to something phrasal verb old-fashioned to go to a place: Shall we repair to the drawing room?—repairer noun [countable]THESAURUSrepair to do some work on something that is damaged or not working properly, so that it is in good condition again: · The builders are coming to repair the roof.· Have you had the washing machine repaired yet?fix especially American English to repair something: · I’m taking the car in to get it fixed.· The chain on the bike needs fixing.mend especially British English to repair something that is damaged, torn, or not working: · I’ve found someone who’ll mend the fence.· Can you mend this sweater for me?· Fishermen sat mending their nets in the sunshine.service to check a vehicle or machine and repair it if necessary, especially regularly: · You should have your car serviced every six months.· When was the last time we had the gas boiler serviced?renovate to repair an old building so that it looks in good condition again: · They bought an old house and renovated it themselves.restore to repair something old and valuable, especially a building, piece of furniture, painting etc, so that it looks the same as it did originally: · Many paintings were damaged in the fire but have now been restored.· The hotel was restored to its original Victorian splendour in 1984.do up British English informal, fix up American English informal to repair an old building or vehicle, so that it looks in good condition again: · He does up old cars and sells them.· A builder bought the house and fixed it up.patch something up to quickly repair something that has a hole in it, by putting a piece of material on it, especially temporarily: · They patched up the wall with bits of cement.darn to repair holes in clothes: · Are you any good at darning socks?