convalesce

verb

con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing

intransitive verb

: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness
He is convalescing from influenza.
convalescence noun
convalescent adjective or noun

Did you know?

When you convalesce, you heal or grow strong after illness or injury, often by staying off your feet. The related adjective convalescent means "recovering from sickness or debility," and a convalescent home is a hospital for long-term recuperation and rehabilitation. Convalesce comes from the Latin verb convalescere, which combines the prefix com-/con-, meaning "with, together, jointly," with the verb valescere, meaning "to grow strong." Valescere, in turn, is related to the verb valēre, meaning "to be strong or be well," which is also an ancestor of prevail, valor, value, and valid.

Examples of convalesce in a Sentence

He is convalescing from his leg injuries. the long months that the soldier spent in the hospital slowly convalescing
Recent Examples on the Web Trump allies blame Democrats for attack While Trump convalesced and called for unity in his Truth Social posts, his allies started casting blame. Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024 After months spent convalescing from a debilitating medical condition known as Stiff Persons’ Syndrome, Dion made a dramatic performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremonies late last month. Jem Aswad, Variety, 10 Aug. 2024 Louis, taking a page from the Romantic playbook, had attempted suicide and then, grotesquely burned, convalesced in his coffin. Judy Berman, TIME, 1 July 2024 Pink needed two surgeries and almost two months of recovery at the same aviary where Blue is convalescing. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convalesce 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convalesce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin convalescere, from com- + valescere to grow strong, from valēre to be strong, be well — more at wield

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of convalesce was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near convalesce

Cite this Entry

“Convalesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convalesce. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

convalesce

verb
con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing
: to regain health and strength gradually after illness or weakness

Medical Definition

convalesce

intransitive verb
con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing
: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness

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