recovery
gb/ɹɪkˈʌvɚi/ us/ɹɪkˈʌvɚi/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
return to health or normal state
The process of getting better after being sick, hurt, or having problems.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s recovery from [illness/injury/problem]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'recovery' with 'cure'. 'Recovery' is the process of getting better, not the action of removing the illness completely.
Synonyms
healing (Focuses more on the physical or emotional process itself rather than the overall return to normal.)
Antonyms
relapse (Refers to becoming ill again after starting to recover.)
Collocations
make a recovery
|slow recovery
|speedy recovery
|full recovery
|aid recovery
Themes
health
|daily life
|emotions
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her recovery from the operation took several weeks.
- The team is supporting his recovery after the accident.
- He made a full recovery and returned to work.
- The doctor was pleased with her steady recovery.
- Recovery can be slow after such a serious illness.
Learner examples
- She is in recovery after surgery.
- He made a full recovery from the flu.
- I hope you have a fast recovery.
- Recovery can take time.
- He is slowly making a recovery.
Noun
B2
action
2
getting back something lost or stolen
When you get something back that you lost or that was taken from you.
Usage pattern:
recovery of [object/money/property]
Synonyms
retrieval (Often refers to physically going to get something back, sometimes used for data or information.)
Antonyms
loss (The opposite situation where something is no longer in one's possession.)
Collocations
recovery of property
|asset recovery
|data recovery
|recovery operation
Themes
law
|business
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police assisted in the recovery of the stolen car.
- Efforts are underway for the recovery of the missing documents.
- The company announced the successful recovery of its assets.
- Recovery of the painting took months of investigation.
Learner examples
- The police helped with the recovery of her bag.
- They want the recovery of stolen money.
- He works in data recovery.
- The recovery of the car was fast.
Noun
B2
event
3
economic improvement after decline
When the economy starts to get better after problems.
Usage pattern:
economic recovery from [recession/downturn]
Synonyms
upturn (Emphasizes a positive change in economic trends.)
Antonyms
recession (A period of economic decline, opposite to economic recovery.)
Collocations
economic recovery
|recovering economy
|slow recovery
|strong recovery
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The country is showing signs of economic recovery.
- Government policies aim to speed up the recovery.
- A strong recovery is expected next year.
- Tourism has helped in the region’s recovery.
Learner examples
- The economy is in recovery now.
- We hope for a fast economic recovery.
- The country needs a strong recovery.
- Tourism is part of the recovery.
Noun
B2
action
4
regaining control after difficulty
When you get control or balance again after a problem.
Usage pattern:
recovery from [shock/setback/loss]
Synonyms
comeback (Often informal; suggests returning to success after a failure.)
Antonyms
collapse (A complete failure to regain control or stability.)
Collocations
quick recovery
|emotional recovery
|remarkable recovery
Themes
emotions
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her quick recovery from the mistake impressed everyone.
- He made a remarkable recovery after losing the match's first set.
- The pilot’s skill allowed for a safe recovery from the stall.
Learner examples
- She made a fast recovery after her mistake.
- He had a good recovery in the game.
- They made a quick recovery from the bad start.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recovery
IPA
GB/ɹɪkˈʌvɚi/
US/ɹɪkˈʌvɚi/
Syllables & stress
re - cov - ery (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cov)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: recovery
- Plural: recoveries, recovery
Word family
Forms
recoveries
noun
Core family
recover
verb A2
Related words
recoverable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unrecoverable
adjective
Expressions
in recovery
1/ˈɪn ɹɪkˈʌvɚi/
fixed phrase
currently getting better from illness/addiction/etc.
Still getting better after being sick, hurt, or having an addiction.
Examples
- She is in recovery after knee surgery.
- He has been in recovery for two years since quitting alcohol.
on the road to recovery
1/ˈɔn ðə ɹˈoʊd tə ɹɪkˈʌvɚi/
fixed phrase
in process of getting better
Getting better after being sick, hurt, or having problems.
Examples
- After weeks in hospital, he is finally on the road to recovery.
- The company is on the road to recovery after last year's losses.
wish you a speedy recovery
1/wˈɪʃ jˈu ə spˈidi ɹɪkˈʌvɚi/
fixed phrase
hope someone gets better quickly
To say you hope someone gets well soon.
Examples
- We all wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery.
- Friends sent cards to wish her a speedy recovery.