ENGLISH
REFERENCE

recovering

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ɹəˈkəvɝɪŋ// re·cov·er·ing

v. getting better after being sick or injured. You can also use it when you find something that was lost or stolen.

v. returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength; regaining possession of something lost or stolen. Often used in the progressive aspect to describe an ongoing process of improvement.


SIMPLE

She is recovering at home after her surgery.

CONTEXTUAL

The local economy is slowly recovering after the factory closed down last year.

COMPLEX

While the patient is physically recovering from the procedure, the psychological impact of the trauma may require a more prolonged period of professional support and therapy.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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

Usage

When referring to health, it is often intransitive; when referring to lost items, it is transitive and takes a direct object.

Pitfall

he is recovering his healthhe is recoveringIn the context of health, the verb is usually intransitive; learners often incorrectly add 'his health' or 'from his sickness' as a direct object.

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