recoup

R1E1C3O1U1P3
UK/ɹɪˈkuːp/Canada, US/ɹɪˈkup/Australia/ɹɪˈkʉːp/

verb

To make back (an investment or similar).

“to recoup losses made at the gaming table”

Less commonScrabble 10

Meanings

verbrecoup (third-person singular simple present recoups, present participle recouping, simple past and past participle recouped)

present singular third person recoups · participle present recouping · participle past recouped · past recouped

  1. intransitivetransitiveTo make back (an investment or similar).

    to recoup losses made at the gaming table

    4 more examples

    He barely managed to recoup his money. He sold out for just what he had invested.

    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

    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

    Synonyms: recover

  2. intransitiveTo recover from an error.
  3. transitivelawTo 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. transitiveTo 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
    1 more example

    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

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo make back (an investment or similar).

Similar

More synonyms by meaning

verbreimburse or compensate (someone), as for a loss

Similar

verbregain or make up for

Broader

verbretain and refrain from disbursing; of payments

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Frenchrecouper“cut short”
  2. Englishrecoup

From French recouper (“cut short”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian възвръщам си, обезщетявам
  • възвръщам си (văzvrăštam si)to make back, as an investment
  • обезщетявам (obezštetjavam)to reimburse, indemnify
  • компенсирам (kompensiram)to reimburse, indemnify
Czech získat zpět, vynahradit si
  • získat zpětto make back, as an investment
  • vynahradit sito make back, as an investment
  • dostat nazpátekto make back, as an investment
Finnish saada takaisin, päästä omilleen
  • saada takaisinto make back, as an investment
  • päästä omilleento make back, as an investment
  • toipuato recover from an error
  • pidättääto keep back rightfully
Russian окупать
  • окупать (okupatʹ)to make back, as an investment
Spanish recuperar
  • recuperarto make back, as an investment
Tagalog uyanan, uyanan
  • uyananto make back, as an investment
  • uyananto reimburse, indemnify

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Cite this entry
APA

recoup. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/recoup

MLA

“recoup.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/recoup. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “recoup,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/recoup.

Source: recoup on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.