Word
recoup
Phoneticsre·coup, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈkup/
UK/ɹɪkˈuːp/
Definition
v. to get back the money you spent on something. It can also mean to recover your strength or health after a difficult time.
v. to recover an amount of money previously spent or lost; to regain physical strength or mental balance after a period of exhaustion or stress.
Examples
“The company needs to recoup its investment before the end of the year.”
“After a long and difficult recovery from the surgery, the patient finally managed to recoup her strength and return to work.”
“The legal team argued that the defendant should be allowed to recoup the costs of the investigation, as the evidence ultimately proved the plaintiff's claim was fraudulent.”
Examples
simple
“The company needs to recoup its investment before the end of the year.”
contextual
“After a long and difficult recovery from the surgery, the patient finally managed to recoup her strength and return to work.”
complex
“The legal team argued that the defendant should be allowed to recoup the costs of the investigation, as the evidence ultimately proved the plaintiff's claim was fraudulent.”
Real-World Examples
“The government has vowed to recoup the clearance costs for the Kidlington dump in Oxfordshire - and seven other sites - from the criminals responsible.” “A spokesperson said it said it was not responsible for the decision to recoup taxpayers' money but "administration of a scheme of this scale involves multiple organisations, systems and processes over many years".” Etymology
From French recouper (“cut short”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/recoup