convalesce

verb

con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles 

convalesced; convalescing

intransitive verb

: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness

He is convalescing from influenza.

convalescence

ˌkän-və-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 

noun

convalescent

ˌkän-və-ˈle-sᵊnt 

adjective or noun

Did you know?

When you convalesce, you heal or grow strong after illness or injury, often by staying off your feet. The related adjective convalescent means "recovering from sickness or debility," and a convalescent home is a hospital for long-term recuperation and rehabilitation. Convalesce comes from the Latin verb convalescere, which combines the prefix com-/con-, meaning "with, together, jointly," with the verb valescere, meaning "to grow strong." Valescere, in turn, is related to the verb valēre, meaning "to be strong or be well," which is also an ancestor of prevail, valor, value, and valid.

Synonyms

• come back
• gain
• heal
• mend
• pull round [chiefly British]
• rally
• recoup
• recover
• recuperate
• snap back

Examples of convalesce in a Sentence

He is convalescing from his leg injuries.

the long months that the soldier spent in the hospital slowly convalescing

Recent Examples on the Web

Tilda Swinton convalesces in the most beautiful hospital room in the world in The Room Next Door. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2024

Trump allies blame Democrats for attack While Trump convalesced and called for unity in his Truth Social posts, his allies started casting blame. —Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024

After months spent convalescing from a debilitating medical condition known as Stiff Persons’ Syndrome, Dion made a dramatic performance at the Paris Olympics opening ceremonies late last month. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 10 Aug. 2024

Louis, taking a page from the Romantic playbook, had attempted suicide and then, grotesquely burned, convalesced in his coffin. —Judy Berman, TIME, 1 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin convalescere, from com- + valescere to grow strong, from valēre to be strong, be well — more at wield

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

convalesce

verb

con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles 

convalesced; convalescing

: to regain health and strength gradually after illness or weakness

Medical Definition

convalesce

intransitive verb

con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles 

convalesced; convalescing

: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness