ENGLISH
REFERENCE

recovering

v. · n.
US //ɹəˈkəvɝɪŋ// re·cov·er·ing
  1. 1 getting healthy again (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    becoming healthy or strong again after an illness, injury, or surgery.

    the process of returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.

    Example

    She is recovering from her knee surgery and should be walking soon.

    Example

    The patient is recovering steadily in the intensive care unit, though doctors caution that full recuperation may take several months.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'from'.
    Pitfall
    He is recovering of a cold.
    He is recovering from a cold.

    Use the preposition 'from' to indicate the illness or injury you are getting better from.

  2. 2 finding lost things (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    finding and getting back something that was lost or stolen.

    the act of regaining possession of something lost, stolen, or misplaced.

    Example

    The police are still recovering the stolen jewellery from the house.

    Example

    Divers are currently recovering artifacts from the shipwreck, working carefully to preserve the delicate wood in the saltwater environment.

    Usage

    Transitive verb taking a direct object of the item being retrieved.
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  1. 3 economic improvement (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    returning to a normal or successful state after a difficult time.

    returning to a state of stability or growth following a period of decline or crisis.

    Example

    The local economy is slowly recovering after the large factory closed.

    Example

    Market analysts observed the tourism sector recovering more rapidly than anticipated following the lifting of international travel restrictions.

    Usage

    Often used intransitively to describe markets, economies, or businesses.
  2. 4 the act of getting better (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the process of getting back to a normal or healthy state.

    the action or process of regaining health or a former state of stability.

    Example

    The recovering of the stolen paintings took nearly three years.

    Example

    The rapid recovering of his strength surprised the medical staff, who had predicted a much longer period of bed rest.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'recovering' can be a gerund noun, 'recovery' is much more common in everyday English for this meaning.
Origin

From Middle English recoveryng; equivalent to recover + -ing.

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