convalesce
/ˌkɒn.vəˈlɛs/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To recover health and strength after an illness, injury, or operation. It usually describes a slow, restful recovery.
- She is convalescing after surgery.
- He convalesced at home for two weeks.
- The doctor said she needed time to convalesce.
Adinary Nuance
Convalesce is more specific than recover. Recover is the general word for getting well again, but convalesce often suggests a slow, gentle period of healing after serious illness or surgery. It sounds more formal and is common in medical or written English.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bình phục
- Spanish
- convalecer
- Chinese
- 康复
- Japanese
- 療養する
- Korean
- 요양하다
Etymology
Convalesce comes from Latin convalescere, meaning “grow strong again.” It entered English in the 16th century and has kept its medical sense.
Common phrases
convalesce at homeconvalesce after surgerytime to convalesce
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is convalesce formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal. People use it more in medical, written, or careful speech.
- What is the difference between convalesce and recover?
- Recover is broader. Convalesce usually means a slow period of healing after illness or surgery.
- Can I say convalesce in everyday conversation?
- Yes, but it may sound a little formal. In speech, many people say recover or get better.
- Is convalesce used with a place?
- Yes. Common phrases are convalesce at home or convalesce in a hospital.