convalesce

verb

con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing

intransitive verb

: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness
He is convalescing from influenza.
convalescence noun
convalescent 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for convalesce 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of convalesce was in the 15th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near convalesce

Cite this Entry

“Convalesce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convalesce. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

convalesce

verb
con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing
: to regain health and strength gradually after illness or weakness

Medical Definition

convalesce

intransitive verb
con·​va·​lesce ˌkän-və-ˈles How to pronounce convalesce (audio)
convalesced; convalescing
: to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness

More from Merriam-Webster on convalesce

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!