recover

1 of 2

verb (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 

-ˌkəv-rə-

noun

recoverable

ri-ˈkə-və-rə-bəl 

-ˈkəv-rə-

adjective

recoverer

ri-ˈkə-vər-ər 

noun

re-cover

2 of 2

verb (2)

re-cov·​er (ˌ)rē-ˈkə-vər 

re-covered; re-covering; re-covers

transitive verb

: to cover again or anew

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• regain
• retrieve
• recapture
• reclaim

Examples of recover in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In Too Much, Stalter stars as Jessica Salmon, a New Yorker in her mid-30s who, in the midst of recovering from a bad break-up, agrees to take a job in London assisting filmmakers working on commercials. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2025

Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images With that being said, everyone recovers from a torn Achilles injury differently. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025

Verb

The mine would be open most weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and last a decade, followed by a two-year effort to re-cover the area with soil and plants. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025

Stir and re-cover; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender, 15 to 18 minutes. —Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025

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

• recover damages

Rhymes for recover

• discover
• hardcover
• thereover
• uncover
• cover
• hover
• plover
• rediscover
• undercover

Kids Definition

recover

1 of 2 verb

re·​cov·​er ri-ˈkəv-ər 

recovered; recovering -ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: regain sense 1

recover a lost wallet

recovered my breath

2

: to regain or bring back to normal health, self-confidence, or position

stumbled, then recovered myself

recovered from the flu

3

: to make up for

recover lost time

4

: to obtain something useful by separating it from a source (as ore or waste) : reclaim

recover gold from gravel

recoverable

-ˈkəv-(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

re-cover

2 of 2 verb

re-cov·​er

(ˈ)rē-ˈkəv-ər

: to cover again

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