recover
1 of 2verb (1)
re·cov·er ri-ˈkə-vər 
recovered; recovering ri-ˈkə-və-riŋ
-ˈkəv-riŋ
transitive verb
1
: to get back : regain
2
a
: to bring back to normal position or condition
stumbled, then recovered himself
b
archaic : rescue
3
a
: to make up for
recover increased costs through higher prices
b
: to gain by legal process
4
archaic : reach
5
: to find or identify again
recover a comet
6
a
: to obtain from an ore, a waste product, or a by-product
b
: to save from loss and restore to usefulness : reclaim
intransitive verb
1
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health)
recovering from a cold
2
: to obtain a final legal judgment in one's favor
recoverability
ri-ˌkə-və-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun -ˌkəv-rə-
recoverable
ri-ˈkə-və-rə-bəl
adjective -ˈkəv-rə-
recoverer
ri-ˈkə-vər-ər
noun re-cover
2 of 2verb (2)
re-cov·er (ˌ)rē-ˈkə-vər
re-covered; re-covering; re-covers
transitive verb
: to cover again or anew
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- get back
- reacquire
- recapture
- reclaim
- re-collect
- recoup
- regain
- repossess
- retake
- retrieve
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb (1) She had a heart attack but is recovering well. Share prices will be down until the economy recovers. She recovered consciousness in the hospital. I slipped, but somehow recovered my balance. He suffered a stroke and hasn't yet recovered the use of his left arm. The police recovered his stolen wallet. The program helps users recover computer files that have been deleted. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Brinker, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2022 Most children who catch the illnesses don’t get very sick and recover at home, experiencing cold-like symptoms. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Matt Ryan fails to grab the snap, and the Houston Texans recover at their 42. Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Sep. 2022 Jones will use its bye this week to rest and recover in time for a Class 3M (Metro) district home opener against unbeaten Edgewater. J.c. Carnahan, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The district tried to help those students recover through small group work, support classes and after school programs. oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 Crusaders drop 3rd straight to open ’22 season as injuries and mistakes pile up Two quick scores to open the second half put Mater Dei Catholic on its heels, and the Crusaders couldn’t recover. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 After all of your hard work, rest and recover with the help of essential oils and a cozy set by Varley. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Although some veterans who have played in multiple All-Star games sometimes look for reasons to bow out, citing a need to rest or recover from minor injuries, Trout has never sought a midsummer classic escape hatch. Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2022 See More
Verb
Some residents are still struggling to recover from the gas explosions that rocked the city four years ago, displacing thousands and sparking a new wave of economic instability. Andrew Brinker, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2022 Most children who catch the illnesses don’t get very sick and recover at home, experiencing cold-like symptoms. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Matt Ryan fails to grab the snap, and the Houston Texans recover at their 42. Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Sep. 2022 Jones will use its bye this week to rest and recover in time for a Class 3M (Metro) district home opener against unbeaten Edgewater. J.c. Carnahan, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The district tried to help those students recover through small group work, support classes and after school programs. oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 Crusaders drop 3rd straight to open ’22 season as injuries and mistakes pile up Two quick scores to open the second half put Mater Dei Catholic on its heels, and the Crusaders couldn’t recover. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 After all of your hard work, rest and recover with the help of essential oils and a cozy set by Varley. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 19 July 2022 Although some veterans who have played in multiple All-Star games sometimes look for reasons to bow out, citing a need to rest or recover from minor injuries, Trout has never sought a midsummer classic escape hatch. Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French recoverer, from Latin recuperare, from re- + *caperare, from Latin capere to take — more at heave entry 1
First Known Use
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Verb (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing recover
Kids Definition
recover
verb
re·cov·er ri-ˈkə-vər
recovered; recovering
1
: to get back : regain
I recovered my lost wallet.
Mary began to recover her breath and feel safer … Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden2
: to regain or return to a normal or usual state (as of health or composure)
Have you recovered from the flu?
3
: to make up for
We can't recover lost time.
Medical Definition
recover
intransitive verb
re·cov·er ri-ˈkəv-ər
recovered; recovering -(ə-)riŋ
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health)
recovering from the effects of a cold
Legal Definition
recover
transitive verb
re·cov·er ri-ˈkə-vər
1
: to get back or get back an equivalent for
recover costs through higher prices
2
a
: to obtain or get back (as damages, satisfaction for a debt, or property) through a judgment or decree
recover damages in a tort action
b
: to obtain (a judgment) in one's favor
intransitive verb
1
: to get something back
2
: to obtain damages or something else through a judgment
argued that the plaintiff should not be permitted to recover
recover
verb
1
as in to regain
to get again in one's possession after fishing around in the garbage for 10 minutes, I was able to recover my lost keys Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- regain
- retrieve
- recapture
- reclaim
- recoup
- reacquire
- retake
- repossess
- get back
- replenish
- re-collect
- rescue
- recruit
- redeem
- repurchase
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose
- misplace
- mislay
2
as in to rebound
to regain a former or normal state after a disastrous first half, the team was able to recover and pull off a victory Synonyms & Similar Words
- rebound
- revive
- rally
- reanimate
- snap back
- come back
- revitalize
- stage a comeback
- make a comeback
- bounce (back)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fail
- decline
- worsen
3
as in to heal
to become healthy and strong again after illness or weakness I see you're recovering well from the accident Synonyms & Similar Words
- heal
- improve
- recuperate
- survive
- recoup
- gain
- convalesce
- revive
- rally
- come back
- snap back
- pull round
- mend
- come to
- come around
- come round
- recruit
- pull through
- pick up
- perk (up)
- cheer (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fail
- collapse
- decline
- deteriorate
- weaken
- fade
- languish
- sicken
- ail
- degenerate
- wilt
- sink
- worsen
- waste (away)
- relapse
- come down
- wither
- regress
4
as in to recycle
to obtain (a raw material) by separating it from a by-product or waste product the process of recovering aluminum from old cans Synonyms & Similar Words
- recycle
- reclaim
- reuse
- process
- reprocess