WordGarden.ioreclaimable
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪklˈeɪməbəl/
US
- /rɪklˈeɪməbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
able to be recovered, restored, or taken back
able to be claimed back as money, expenses, tax, or credit
able to be recovered and used again after processing or cleanup
Beyond the definition
Something that's reclaimable is not gone forever. It can be recovered, restored, or brought back into use. You can use it for physical things, like land damaged by mining that can be restored, or for things that were lost and can be taken back. It can also describe less concrete things, like trust or a relationship, when there is still a real chance to repair them. The idea is simple: something has been damaged, lost, or pushed away, but it can still be brought back with effort.
The word "reclaimable" describes something that can be recovered, restored, or brought back into a usable state after being lost, damaged, or taken away. It carries the idea that the situation is not final and that there is still a way back.
It is often used for physical things. Land damaged by mining may be described as reclaimable if it can be restored so that plants, animals, or people can use it again. Materials or property can also be reclaimable if they can be taken back, recovered, or used again. In these cases, the word points to practical recovery.
It can also apply to less concrete things like trust, reputation, or a relationship. A damaged friendship may still be reclaimable if both people are willing to talk honestly and forgive each other. In this kind of use, the word suggests that repair is still possible, even if it may take time and care.
The key point is that something reclaimable is not already restored. It simply has the potential to be restored or recovered. Usually, some work is needed to bring it back, and sometimes that work may be difficult. A completely destroyed object or a chance that is gone forever would not usually be described this way.
So, when you encounter "reclaimable," think of something that still has a second chance. It may be damaged, lost, or far from what it once was, but it can still be brought back.
Examples
- 1
Packaging
The shop sells milk in reclaimable glass bottles.
- 2
Expense reports
Make sure your taxi fare is reclaimable before you add it to the expense report.
- Phrasereclaimable expenses
money you can ask to be paid back
- 3
Insurance claims
Not all of the cleanup costs are reclaimable from the insurance company.
- Patternreclaimable from + person/organization
able to be recovered from them, often as money
See also
Similar
- recoverable
- salvageable
- restorable
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- unrecoverable
- unusable
Used with (collocations)
- reclaimable land
- reclaimable materials
- reclaimable waste
- reclaimable water
Word family
Explore
- resource recovery
- land restoration
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- reclaimableadjective