C1verb3K

Regain

UK /["/rɪˈɡeɪn/","/rɪˈɡeɪnz/","/rɪˈɡeɪnd/","/rɪˈɡeɪnɪŋ/"]/US /["/rɪˈɡeɪn/","/rɪˈɡeɪnz/","/rɪˈɡeɪnd/","/rɪˈɡeɪnɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to get back something you no longer have, especially an ability or a quality

In simple words: To get something back that you lost.

Examples

  • After a few weeks of rest, she was able to regain her strength.
  • The company worked hard to regain the trust of its customers.
  • He tried to regain control of the conversation after being interrupted.
  • It took him several months to regain his confidence following the setback.
  • She struggled to regain her balance after slipping on the ice.

Usage notes

Use 'regain' in contexts where you are talking about recovering something that was lost, like health, confidence, or control. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English but is commonly found in slightly formal situations.

Grammar pattern

regain + object

Memory hint

Think of 'regain' as 're-‘+’gain' — you're gaining something again!

Collocations

  • completely
  • fully
  • quickly
  • attempt to
  • battle to
  • fight to
  • an attempt to regain something
  • a bid to regain something
  • an effort to regain something

Synonyms

  • recover
  • retrieve
  • regain consciousness
  • restore
  • recapture

Antonyms

  • lose
  • surrender
  • relinquish

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'obtain' - 'regain' implies getting something back, while 'obtain' means to acquire.
  • Using 'regain' without an object - remember to specify what is being regained.
  • Mixing up the spelling with similar-sounding words like 'retain'.