Regain

/riːˈɡeɪn/

verbmedium📊CommonAction
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To obtain possession or control of something again after losing it.

/riːˈɡeɪn/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To get back or recover something lost or taken away.

After the break, she struggled to regain her composure.

💡 Simply: It's like finding something you lost! Maybe you lost your focus during a game, but you can *regain* it by taking a deep breath and getting back in the zone. Or, you might *regain* your appetite after being sick.

👶 For kids: To get something back that you lost!

More Examples

2

The country hoped to regain its former glory.

3

He worked hard to regain the trust of his colleagues after the misunderstanding.

How It's Used

General

"She hoped to regain her lost health."

Business

"The company is working to regain its market share."

Sports

"The team struggled to regain control of the game."

2

To reach again or go back to (a place or a state of being).

/riːˈɡeɪn/

verbneutralAdvanced
Action

To reach (a place or goal) again.

The hiker hoped to regain the summit before nightfall.

💡 Simply: Sometimes you get off track, but you can *regain* the route by heading back. Imagine a lost hiker - they need to *regain* the trail.

👶 For kids: To go back to a place again.

More Examples

2

After wandering the city, they were relieved to regain their hotel.

How It's Used

Literary

"The traveler struggled to regain the path, lost in the dense forest."

Tip:Think of a long journey where you have to *regain* a certain checkpoint after going off course.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English *regainen*, from Old French *regaignier* ('to regain'), from *re-* ('again') + *gagner* ('to gain').

The word 'regain' has been used since the 14th century to describe the act of getting something back that was previously possessed.

Memory tip

Imagine you lose your keys. To regain them, you have to find them and take possession of them again.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to gain"

regain controlregain composureregain consciousnessregain market shareregain a sense

Common misspellings

re gainreagain

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written