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Recoup Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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recoup

[rɪˈkuːp ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

financial

Regain (money or assets) lost through investment or business failure.

Synonyms

recapture, recover, regain, retrieve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recoup

Used when talking about getting back money or resources lost or spent, often in a business or financial context.

  • They hope to recoup their investments within two years
  • The company managed to recoup some of its losses through cost-cutting measures
recover

Used when talking about regaining something that was lost, such as health, strength, or possessions. Common in both physical and metaphorical senses.

  • She needed several weeks to fully recover from the surgery
  • The police were able to recover the stolen jewelry
regain

Used when talking about getting back something that was lost, focusing on possession or control, but often related to personal abilities or qualities.

  • He worked hard to regain his confidence after the accident
  • The country is trying to regain its economic stability
retrieve

Used when talking about bringing something back that was taken away or lost, often used in practical or physical actions.

  • The dog was trained to retrieve the ball
  • He managed to retrieve the document from the trash
recapture

Used when talking about seizing again or taking back something that was lost, often used in a military or competitive context.

  • The army plans to recapture the city by dawn
  • The team is looking to recapture the championship title this season

Examples of usage

  • The company hoped to recoup its losses by selling off some of its assets.
  • After years of hard work, he finally managed to recoup his initial investment.
  • We need to find a way to recoup the money we've lost on this project.
  • The government is trying to recoup some of the funds that were misused in the previous administration.
  • She was determined to recoup what she had lost in the stock market crash.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Finance

  • In finance, recouping is important for businesses to recover expenses and maintain profitability.
  • Investors often look for ways to recoup losses when the market declines, strategizing their next steps.

Psychology

  • Psychologically, the concept of recouping can also refer to recovering emotional or mental energy after stressful situations.
  • People often recoup from setbacks by re-evaluating their strategies or goals, indicating resilience.

Sports

  • Athletes often work hard to recoup their stamina during breaks in games, ensuring they're ready for the next play.
  • In sports recovery practices, professionals might focus on methods to recoup energy after intense games.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'recoup costs' frequently appears in movies where characters invest money into a project and seek to earn it back.
  • In video games, players often need to recoup lost lives or resources to advance, creating a gameplay dynamic around recovery.

Origin of 'recoup'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'recouper', which means 'to recover' or 'to get back'.
  • The Latin root is 'recuperare', meaning to reclaim what has been lost, highlighting its historical link to recovering things.

The word 'recoup' originated from the French word 'recouper' which means 'to cut back' or 'to deduct'. It entered the English language in the mid-15th century with the meaning of 'to reduce or diminish'. Over time, the term evolved to its current usage of 'regain or recover'.

See also: coup, coupon.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,998, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.