recapture
C1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To catch or take possession of something or someone again.
To recreate or experience again a past feeling, atmosphere, or success.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word suggests a return to a previous state of possession or experience, often with a sense of effort or deliberate action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The base verb 'capture' is used similarly.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry connotations of effort, nostalgia, or strategic success.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American news media, particularly in financial, military, and sports contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] recaptures [object] (from [source])[subject] recaptures [abstract concept: feeling, spirit, glory]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Recapture the past”
- “Recapture the crown”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The new campaign aims to recapture our lost market share from competitors.'
Academic
'The historian argued that the novel sought to recapture the ethos of a bygone era.'
Everyday
'This photo really recaptures the joy of that holiday.'
Technical
'The software includes a tool to recapture deleted metadata from the file.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The army moved to recapture the strategic town.
- The film tries to recapture the charm of the original.
American English
- The team needs to recapture its winning form.
- We hoped to recapture the excitement of our first launch.
adverb
British English
- This is not used as an adverb.
- N/A
American English
- This is not used as an adverb.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The recapture mission was a success.
- He described the recapture process in detail.
American English
- The recapture bid failed.
- She analysed the recapture rate of tagged animals.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The police recaptured the lost dog.
- I want to recapture my book from my friend.
- The football team recaptured first place in the league.
- The old song recaptured her childhood memories.
- The company launched a new product to recapture its dominant market position.
- The biography seeks to recapture the political atmosphere of the 1960s.
- The artist's latest work is a deliberate attempt to recapture the raw energy of his early period.
- Tax authorities implemented measures to recapture revenue lost through avoidance schemes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think RE + CAPTURE. You CAPTURE something, you lose it, then you CAPTURE it again (RE-).
Conceptual Metaphor
POSSESSION IS HOLDING; TIME IS A RECEDING OBJECT (to be caught again).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'перезахватить' in non-military contexts where 'вернуть' or 'воссоздать' is better for abstract meanings like feelings or success.
- Do not confuse with 'capture' ('захватить')—the prefix 're-' is crucial.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'recapture' for a first-time capture (missing the 're-' meaning).
- Misspelling as 'recaptuer' or 'recaptchure'.
- Using it with a person as an object in a non-military/police context, which can sound dehumanising.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'recapture' MOST likely metaphorical?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very commonly used for abstract things like feelings, moods, success, or a former quality.
'Recapture' is the standard single-word verb. 'Capture again' is a phrasal alternative that is less formal and can sometimes sound more literal.
Yes, it can. Example: 'The recapture of the city was a turning point in the war.'
Yes, it is frequently used in the passive voice. Example: 'The escaped prisoner was recaptured within hours.'