Dictionary

recoup en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ɹɪˈkuːp/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ɹɪˈkʉːp/ (Australia)
• (London) audio
• /ɹɪˈkup/ (Canada, General-American)

Etymology

From French recouper (“cut short”).

Meanings

1. (intransitive, transitive) To make back (an investment or similar).
   • to recoup losses made at the gaming table
   • In July British Railways installed train-operated red-and-white level crossing half-barriers of a new design at 11 places, […] The cost is given at £800 a pair, which can be readily recouped on savings in the cost of manning ordinary gated crossings. 1964 August, “News and Comment: New BR standard half-barrier”, in Modern Railways, page 88:
   • And when it fails to recoup? Well, maybe you just haven't earned it yet, baby 1987, “Paint a Vulgar Picture”, in Morrissey (lyrics), Johnny Marr (music), Strangeways, Here We Come, performed by The Smiths:
   • He barely managed to recoup his money. He sold out for just what he had invested.
   • Disney has still not recouped $4.2bn of its investment in Disneyland Paris after more than 30 years, even though the resort is now its best-performing international outpost, according to an analysis of recent filings. 2026 June 4, Christian Sylt, Caroline Reid, “Disney racks up $4.2bn deficit on Paris parks”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
2. (intransitive) To recover from an error.
3. (transitive) To keep back rightfully (a part), as if by cutting off, so as to diminish a sum due; to take off (a part) from damages; to deduct.
   • A landlord recouped the rent of premises from damages awarded to the plaintiff for eviction.
4. (transitive) To reimburse; to indemnify; often used reflexively and in the passive voice.
   • Industry is sometimes recouped for a small price by extensive custom. 1887, George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll, Scotland as it was and as it is:
   • Elizabeth had lost her venture; but if she was bold, she might recoup herself at Philip's cost. 1856–1870, James Anthony Froude, History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth, volume (please specify |volume=I to XII), London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC:

Forms

Deriveds

unrecouped · recoupment · recoupable

Synonyms

recover

Translations (14)

fi päästä omilleen (to make back, as an investment) · es recuperar (to make back, as an investment) · bg обезщетявам (to reimburse, indemnify) · fi saada takaisin (to make back, as an investment) · cs získat zpět (to make back, as an investment) · fi toipua (to recover from an error) · bg възвръщам си (to make back, as an investment) · ru окупать (to make back, as an investment) · tl uyanan (to make back, as an investment) · bg компенсирам (to reimburse, indemnify) · cs vynahradit si (to make back, as an investment) · fi pidättää (to keep back rightfully) · cs dostat nazpátek (to make back, as an investment) · tl uyanan (to reimburse, indemnify)