Words / C1

ri-TREEV/rɪˈtriːv/

To retrieve is to get something back, or to fetch stored information: retrieve a file, retrieve a bag. Recover is a close cousin (also “get well”); get back is everyday. Retrieval is the noun (information retrieval). Retriever is a dog. Do not retrieve a new idea you never stored.

Meaning

To get something back, or to find and bring stored information.

Examples

• “You can retrieve last year’s marks from the portal.”
• “IT could retrieve the draft from the backup, which is why version names matter.”
• “A lost scarf can be retrieved from lost property; a forgotten argument cannot.”

Good to know

Get back / fetch stored data. Noun: retrieval. Close: recover. Everyday: get back. Mix-up: retriever (dog).

Near in meaning

recover

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