Cool MateRegain
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'.