B2 verb Neutral

Recover

/rɪˈkʌv.ər/

To return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength after a period of illness, injury, or setback.

Examples

3 of 5
1

She is still recovering from a bad cold.

She is still getting better after a bad cold.

2

The patient is expected to recover fully within six months.

We anticipate the patient will return to perfect health in half a year.

3

Hope you recover soon!

I hope you get better quickly!

Word Family

Noun
recovery
Verb
recover
Adjective
recoverable
💡

Memory Tip

Re- (again) + Cover (get back to your original state).

Quick Quiz

Doctors say he will make a full ____, but it will take time.

Correct!

The correct answer is: recovery

Examples

1

She is still recovering from a bad cold.

everyday

She is still getting better after a bad cold.

2

The patient is expected to recover fully within six months.

formal

We anticipate the patient will return to perfect health in half a year.

3

Hope you recover soon!

informal

I hope you get better quickly!

4

Research indicates that patients recover more quickly when they have social support.

academic

Studies show people get well faster if they have friends and family to help.

5

The market is starting to recover after the recent economic slump.

business

The financial situation is improving after a bad period (metaphorical).

Word Family

Noun
recovery
Verb
recover
Adjective
recoverable

Common Collocations

recover from to get better after an illness
fully recover to return to 100% health
recover quickly to get well in a short time
recover consciousness to wake up after being unconscious
slow to recover taking a long time to get better

Common Phrases

road to recovery

the process of getting better

on the road to recovery

currently improving in health

speedy recovery

getting well very fast

Often Confused With

Recover vs heal

Heal is usually for wounds or bones; recover is for general health or illness.

📝

Usage Notes

Always use 'from' when mentioning the specific illness (e.g., recover from flu).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget the preposition 'from'. They might say 'recover the flu' which is incorrect.

💡

Memory Tip

Re- (again) + Cover (get back to your original state).

📖

Word Origin

From Old French 'recovrer', meaning 'get back, return'.

Grammar Patterns

recover from (illness/injury) recover (something/consciousness)

Quick Quiz

Doctors say he will make a full ____, but it will take time.

Correct!

The correct answer is: recovery

Related Grammar Rules

More health words

hospital

A1

A hospital is a large building where doctors and nurses provide medical care for people who are sick or injured. It contains specialized equipment and rooms for treatments, surgeries, and staying overnight while recovering.

healthy

A2

Healthy describes someone who is in good physical or mental condition and is not ill. It can also describe activities, food, or environments that help you stay well and strong.

Prescription

B2

A formal document or digital order issued by a medical practitioner that authorizes a patient to be provided with a specific medicine or treatment. It can also refer to the medicine itself.

Symptom

B2

A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.

Diagnosis

B2

The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms and signs.

Physician

B2

A person qualified to practice medicine, especially one who specializes in diagnosis and medical treatment rather than surgery.

Chronic

B2

Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring. Usually applied to a medical condition that lasts for three months or more.

Vaccinate

B2

To treat a person or animal with a vaccine to produce immunity against a particular infectious disease or pathogen.

Infectious

B2

Describing a disease or disease-causing organism that is likely to be transmitted to people or organisms through the environment.

Treatment

B2

Medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury. It includes the use of medicine, surgery, or therapy to improve a condition.

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