unrecoverable

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌʌn.rɪˈkʌv.ər.ə.bəl/

KK: /ʌnˈrɛkəvərəbəl/

adjective

Definition

Something that cannot be recovered or restored.

Example

The data was lost and is now unrecoverable.

Conversation

I heard you lost some files on your computer.

Yeah, it was a disaster! They were completely unrecoverable.

That sounds frustrating. Did you have a backup?

Unfortunately, no. I learned my lesson the hard way.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

irretrievable

lost

irrecoverable

Antonyms

recoverable

salvageable

retrievable

Root Explanation

Unrecoverable → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "recover" (from Latin "recuperare", meaning to regain or recover) and "-able" (meaning capable of). The word "unrecoverable" means not capable of being regained or recovered.

Memory Tip

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

Visually Confused Words

uncoverable

recoverable

nonrecoverable

unconversable