WordGarden.iorecoverable
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪkˈʌvərəbəl/
US
- /rɪˈkəvərəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
able to be recovered, restored, or regained
able to be claimed back or recouped as money, costs, or damages
able to be restored or retrieved after a digital error, loss, or failure
More meaningsFewer meanings
likely to recover from illness or injury
Beyond the definition
Something that is recoverable is not lost forever; it can be brought back, repaired, or saved. Think of a dropped phone: if the screen is cracked but the phone still works, it may be recoverable with the right repair. Or imagine a friendship hurt by an argument; with time and honesty, it could still be recoverable. The word often suggests that effort will be needed to make things right again or at least useful again. In the world of data, recoverable files are ones that can be restored after they are deleted by mistake.
The word recoverable describes something that can be regained, restored, or brought back to a usable condition. It suggests that the loss or damage is not permanent and that there is still a good chance of fixing the problem. This idea can apply to physical objects, digital files, money, health, or relationships.
For example, deleted files may be recoverable if there is a backup or special software to restore them. Money can be recoverable if it can be paid back or claimed again. A relationship after a serious disagreement may still be recoverable if both people are willing to work on it. Even a bad situation at work or in business can be called recoverable when there is still a realistic path to improvement.
In technical contexts, recoverable is especially common for data, systems, and errors. A recoverable error is one a program can handle without stopping completely. A recoverable system is one that can return to normal after a failure, often because backups or safety measures are in place.
The key idea behind recoverable is not just that something can be fixed, but that fixing it is still possible in a real and practical way. The word carries a sense of hope: after damage, loss, or trouble, there is still a way back.
Examples
- 1
Data recovery
Most of the deleted photos are still recoverable if you stop using the phone right away.
- 2
Medical injury
The doctor said the shoulder injury was fully recoverable with rest and physical therapy.
- 3
Contract costs
Under the contract, reasonable travel costs are recoverable from the client.
- Patternrecoverable from + person/organization
able to be claimed back from them
- 4
Legal losses
Not every financial loss is legally recoverable, even when the company made a clear mistake.
See also
Similar
- retrievable
- restorable
- salvageable
Shades of meaning
- repairable
- reversible
Contrast
- unrecoverable
- irreversible
Used with (collocations)
- recoverable data
- recoverable error
- recoverable costs
- recoverable amount
Word family
Explore
- data recovery
- resilience
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- recoverableadjective