irrecoverable

[ ir-i-kuhv-er-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. incapable of being recovered or regained:

   an irrecoverable debt.

2. unable to be remedied or rectified; irretrievable:

   an irrecoverable loss.

irrecoverable

/ ˌɪrɪˈkʌvərəbəl; -ˈkʌvrə- /

adjective

1. not able to be recovered or regained
2. not able to be remedied or rectified

Derived Forms

• ˌirreˈcoverableness, noun
• ˌirreˈcoverably, adverb

Other Words From

• irre·cover·a·ble·ness noun
• irre·cover·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irrecoverable¹

First recorded in 1530–40; ir- ² + recoverable

Example Sentences

“The lack of a tight seal from this defect resulted in the multiple subsequent air embolism events and irrecoverable neurological damage,” they wrote.

From Seattle Times

So - fittingly - it seems that nostalgia for his younger self may have played a role in the driver's love of the song, which is itself a yearning for an irrecoverable past.

From BBC

"The investigation found that, in the prevailing circumstances, the loss of yaw control was irrecoverable," it said in its final report on the crash.

From Reuters

They also worry that the city would cause irrecoverable damage to the age-old boxes by removing them.

From Seattle Times

Dr Johnson said one of the injuries to her head was "irrecoverable".

From BBC

Related Words

• absent
• adrift
• disoriented
• hidden
• invisible
• misplaced
• vanished