Restore vs. Recover — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
Restore often involves returning something to its original state, while recover focuses on regaining possession or health after loss or illness.
Difference Between Restore and Recover
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Restore typically implies bringing something back to a previous condition or state, like restoring a painting to its original brilliance. Whereas, recover often refers to the process of getting back something lost or reclaiming health after illness or injury.
Restore is commonly used in the context of data, where files are returned to a usable state from backup. On the other hand, recover is used when retrieving lost data from damaged or failed hardware.
In the context of health, restore may be used to describe treatments aimed at returning a patient to health, such as restoring mobility through physical therapy. Meanwhile, recover is more broadly used to describe the overall process of improvement and return to health following illness or surgery.
Restore can also imply the act of bringing back a practice or belief, rejuvenating its presence in society. In contrast, recover doesn't typically apply to intangible concepts like beliefs or practices.
Restore is used in environmental contexts to indicate bringing an ecosystem or habitat back to its former condition. Conversely, recover is less commonly used in environmental contexts, focusing more on the recovery of species or natural resources after depletion.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Bring back to original condition
Regain possession or health
Usage in Health
Restoring function or appearance
Recovering health or capability
Usage in Technology
Restoring data from backup
Recovering lost data
Usage in Environment
Restoring ecosystems
Recovering species or resources
Usage in Intangible Ideas
Restoring practices/beliefs
Not commonly used
Compare with Definitions
Restore
To reinstate a previous practice, right, or situation.
The government restored the old law.
Recover
To return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
He is recovering from surgery.
Restore
To bring back to a state of health or normality.
The treatment restored her health.
Recover
To get back or regain something lost or taken away.
She managed to recover her lost phone.
Restore
To return something stolen or lost to its proper owner.
The museum restored the stolen paintings.
Recover
To regain control of oneself or one's composure.
She recovered quickly from the embarrassment.
Restore
To repair or renovate.
They restore old cars as a hobby.
Recover
To retrieve usable data from (a storage device).
We recovered the files from the damaged hard drive.
Restore
To bring something back to its original condition.
They plan to restore the historic building.
Recover
To find or regain possession of (something stolen or lost).
Police recovered the stolen goods.
Restore
Bring back or re-establish (a previous right, practice, or situation)
Order was eventually restored by riot police
The government restored confidence in the housing market
Recover
Return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength
Neil is still recovering from shock
The economy has begun to recover
Restore
To bring back into existence or use; reestablish
Restore law and order.
Recover
Find or regain possession of (something stolen or lost)
Police recovered a stolen video
Restore
To bring back to an original or normal condition
Restore a building.
Restored the patient to health.
Recover
Remove or extract (an energy source or industrial chemical) for use, reuse, or waste treatment
Only 13 per cent of CFC refrigerant was being recovered from domestic fridges
Restore
To place in a former position or location
Restored the book to the shelf.
Recover
A defined position of a firearm forming part of a military drill
Bring the firelock to the recover
Restore
To put (someone) back in a former position or role
Restore the emperor to the throne.
Recover
To get back (something lost or taken away), especially by making an effort
Recovered his keys near the water cooler.
Recovered the ball in the end zone.
Restore
To make restitution of; give back
Restore the stolen funds.
Recover
To search for, find, and bring back
Divers recovered the body.
Researchers recovering fossils.
Restore
(transitive) To reestablish, or bring back into existence.
To restore harmony among those who are at variance
He restored my lost faith in him by doing a good deed.
Recover
To get back control or possession of (land) by military conquest or legal action.
Restore
(transitive) To bring back to good condition from a state of decay or ruin.
Recover
To have (the use, possession, or control of something) restored
Recovered the use of his fingers.
Restore
(transitive) To give or bring back (that which has been lost or taken); to bring back to the owner; to replace.
Recover
To regain the use of (a faculty) or be restored to (a normal or usual condition)
Recovered his wits after hearing the news.
Recovered his health after treatment.
Restore
(transitive) To give in place of, or as restitution for.
Recover
To cause to be restored to a normal or usual condition
After two weeks on the medicine, he was fully recovered.
Restore
To recover (data, etc.) from a backup.
There was a crash last night, and we're still restoring the file system.
Recover
To discover or be able to follow (a trail or scent) after losing it.
Restore
To bring (a note) back to its original signification.
Recover
To procure (usable substances, such as metal) from unusable substances, such as ore or waste.
Restore
(obsolete) To make good; to make amends for.
Recover
To bring (land) into or return to a suitable condition for use; reclaim.
Restore
(computing) The act of recovering data or a system from a backup.
We backed up the data successfully, but the restore failed.
Recover
To bring under observation again
"watching the comet since it was first recovered—first spotted since its 1910 visit" (Christian Science Monitor).
Restore
To bring back to its former state; to bring back from a state of ruin, decay, disease, or the like; to repair; to renew; to recover.
Our fortune restored after the severest afflictions.
And his hand was restored whole as the other.
Recover
To regain a normal or usual condition, as of health
A patient who recovered from the flu.
Businesses that recovered quickly from the recession.
Restore
To give or bring back, as that which has been lost., or taken away; to bring back to the owner; to replace.
Now therefore restore the man his wife.
Loss of Eden, till one greater manRestore us, and regain the blissful seat.
The father banished virtue shall restore.
Recover
To receive a favorable judgment in a lawsuit.
Restore
To renew; to reëstablish; as, to restore harmony among those who are variance.
Recover
(transitive) To get back, to regain (a physical thing; in astronomy and navigation, sight of a thing or a signal).
After days of inquiries, he finally recovered his lost wallet.
For days telescopes surveyed the skies to recover the small asteroid.
Restore
To give in place of, or as satisfaction for.
He shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
Recover
(transitive) to salvage, to extricate, to rescue (a thing or person)
They recovered three of the explorers very much alive, then another, wracked with severe hypothermia, who was taken to hospital.
Restore
To make good; to make amends for.
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,All losses are restored, and sorrows end.
Recover
(transitive) To replenish to, resume (a good state of mind or body).
At the top of the hill I asked to stop for a few minutes to recover my strength.
Restore
To bring back from a state of injury or decay, or from a changed condition; as, to restore a painting, statue, etc.
Recover
To obtain a positive judgement; to win in a lawsuit.
The plaintiff recovered in his suit, being awarded declaratory relief and a clearing of his name.
Restore
Restoration.
Recover
To gain as compensation or reparation, usually by formal legal process
To recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a legal action or that is owing
To recover lands in ejectment or common recovery
Restore
Return to its original or usable and functioning condition;
Restore the forest to its original pristine condition
Recover
To reach (a place), arrive at.
Restore
Return to life; get or give new life or energy;
The week at the spa restored me
Recover
To restore to good health, consciousness, life etc.
Restore
Give or bring back;
Restore the stolen painting to its rightful owner
Recover
To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of.
To recover lost time
Restore
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Recover
(intransitive) To regain one's composure, balance etc.
Spinning round, he caught a stone with his ankle, but recovered quickly before turning to face me.
Restore
Bring back into original existence, use, function, or position;
Restore law and order
Reestablish peace in the region
Restore the emperor to the throne
Recover
To get better, to regain health or prosperity.
I was hurt, but I knew I’d recover, given time.
Without calling in Business Recovery experts, the company saw trade and investor confidence recover sharply in the wake of the crisis.
I lost out in the deal, but I quickly recovered financially
It takes time and good health to recover from injury, surgery, a bereavement and emotional turmoil
Recover
To recover from
Recover
To cover again.
Recover
(roofing) To add a new roof membrane or steep-slope covering over an existing one.
Recover
(obsolete) Recovery.
Recover
(military) A position of holding a firearm during exercises, whereby the lock is at shoulder height and the sling facing out.
Recover
(dated) The forward movement in rowing, after one stroke to take another (recovery)
Recover
To cover again.
Recover
To get or obtain again; to get renewed possession of; to win back; to regain.
David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away.
Recover
To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of; as, to recover lost time.
Even good men have many failings and lapses to lament and recover.
Recover
To restore from sickness, faintness, or the like; to bring back to life or health; to cure; to heal.
The wine in my bottle will recover him.
Recover
To overcome; to get the better of, - as a state of mind or body.
I do hope to recover my late hurt.
When I had recovered a little my first surprise.
Recover
To rescue; to deliver.
That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him.
Recover
To gain by motion or effort; to obtain; to reach; to come to.
The forest is not three leagues off;If we recover that, we're sure enough.
Except he could recover one of the Cities of Refuge he was to die.
Recover
To gain as a compensation; to obtain in return for injury or debt; as, to recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a suit at law; to obtain title to by judgement in a court of law; as, to recover lands in ejectment or common recovery; to gain by legal process; as, to recover judgement against a defendant.
Recover
To regain health after sickness; to grow well; to be restored or cured; hence, to regain a former state or condition after misfortune, alarm, etc.; - often followed by of or from; as, to recover from a state of poverty; to recover from fright.
Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this disease.
Recover
To make one's way; to come; to arrive.
With much ado the Christians recovered to Antioch.
Recover
To obtain a judgement; to succeed in a lawsuit; as, the plaintiff has recovered in his suit.
Recover
Recovery.
Recover
Get or find back; recover the use of;
She regained control of herself
She found her voice and replied quickly
Recover
Get over an illness or shock;
The patient is recuperating
Recover
Regain a former condition after a financial loss;
We expect the stocks to recover to $2.90
The company managed to recuperate
Recover
Regain or make up for;
Recuperate one's losses
Recover
Of materials from waste products
Recover
Cover anew;
Recover a chair
Common Curiosities
Can both terms be used interchangeably?
While they may sometimes overlap, each term often has a specific context making them not entirely interchangeable.
What does recover imply in environmental contexts?
In environmental contexts, recover often relates to the recuperation of species, natural areas, or resources.
What is the main focus of restoration?
Restoration focuses on returning something to its original or a usable state.
Can recover be used in terms of health?
Yes, recover is often used to describe the process of regaining health after an illness or injury.
Is restore used in data management?
Yes, in data management, restore is used to describe the process of copying backup files from backup storage to their original location.
Can recover be used in the context of mental health?
Yes, it can describe the process of regaining mental health and stability.
How does one recover lost data?
Lost data is typically recovered through various software techniques that scan storage to retrieve the lost information.
What is involved in restoring an ecosystem?
Restoring an ecosystem involves activities like replanting native vegetation and reintroducing species.
What does it mean to restore a painting?
It means to repair and clean a painting to bring back its original appearance.
Is it correct to say 'restore one’s health'?
While not as common, it can be used when referring to specific health functions or conditions being brought back to a previous state.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
