# repair

/ɹɪˈpɛɹ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/repair
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to fix something

verb · CEFR B1

to fix something that is broken, damaged, or not working correctly.

For teachers: to restore an object or system to sound condition after damage or failure.

- The mechanic had to repair the engine after the car broke down on the highway.
- The specialist was called in to repair the delicate internal circuitry of the satellite before the scheduled launch window closed.

Usage: This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.

### 2. to go to a place

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to go to a specific place, often for a particular reason.

For teachers: to go or betake oneself to a place; often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a group moving to another room.

- After the long meeting, the committee members decided to repair to the café for lunch.
- Upon the conclusion of the formal dinner, the guests were invited to repair to the drawing room for coffee and conversation.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.

### 3. the act of fixing

noun · CEFR B1

the work done to fix something that was broken.

For teachers: the act or process of restoring something to a functional or sound state.

- The roof is leaking, so we need to pay for some expensive repairs.
- The structural repairs to the bridge took nearly six months to complete, causing significant traffic delays throughout the city.

Usage: Often used in the plural when referring to specific tasks.

### 4. condition

noun · CEFR B2

the physical state of a building or object.

For teachers: the state of being in good or bad condition, especially regarding the need for maintenance.

- The old house has been empty for years and is now in a poor state of repair.
- The landlord is legally obligated to keep the exterior of the property in good repair throughout the duration of the lease.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrases 'in good repair' or 'in poor repair'.

## Examples

- The car needs a major repair after the accident.
- The landlord promised to finish the roof repair before the rainy season begins next month.
- While the structural repair was technically sound, the visible scarring on the antique table significantly reduced its value at the auction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.