irrecoverably

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌɪrɪˈkʌvərəbli/

KK: /ɪrɪˈkʌvərəbli/

adverb

Definition

In a way that cannot be recovered or fixed; permanently lost or damaged.

Example

The data was irrecoverably deleted after the system crash.

Conversation

Did you hear about the old building they demolished?

Yeah, it really was a shame; it seemed irrecoverably lost to time.

I think they could have restored it instead of tearing it down.

Definitely, some things shouldn't be lost irrecoverably like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

permanently

irretrievably

unrecoverably

Antonyms

recoverably

temporarily

reversibly

Root Explanation

Irrecoverably → It is formed from "in-" (meaning not) and "recover" (from Latin "recuperare", meaning to regain or recover) and the suffix "-ably" (meaning in a manner that can be). The word "irrecoverably" means in a manner that cannot be regained or recovered.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('in-') being able to 'regain' ('recover') something — that's why irrecoverably means something cannot be regained.

Visually Confused Words