Definition

Adjective 1. Capable of being retrieved, recovered, or regained: Describes something that can be gotten back, found again, or restored, often implying the need for some effort or a specific process. 2. Capable of being recalled or remembered: Describes information or memories that can be brought back to mind. 3. Capable of being corrected or compensated for: Describes a loss or error that can be made up for or rectified.

Usage and Examples

• General Use (Recovery of Objects/Data):
  • The sunken treasure was deemed retrievable by the salvage team. (The treasure could potentially be recovered.)
  • Please ensure all deleted files are retrievable from the backup system. (The files can be restored from the backup.)
• Cognitive Use (Memory/Information):
  • The witness stated that the details were no longer retrievable from her memory. (The details could not be recalled.)
  • With the right cues, childhood memories can be surprisingly retrievable. (Memories can be brought back to consciousness.)
• Compensatory Use (Loss/Error):
  • The financial loss was significant but retrievable over the next quarter. (The loss could be made up for.)
  • The mistake in the document was retrievable with a simple edit. (The error was correctable.)

Advanced Usage

• In Computing and Data Management: Often used to describe data that can be located and fetched from a storage system (database, cloud, cache).
  • The query results must be retrievable in under two seconds.
• In Legal or Archival Contexts: Refers to documents or evidence that can be located and produced.
  • All correspondence related to the case must be kept in a retrievable format.

Variants and Related Words

• Retrieve (verb): To get or bring something back; to recover.
  • The dog was trained to retrieve the ball.
• Retrieval (noun): The process of getting something back.
  • The retrieval of the data was successful.
• Irretrievable (adjective): Not able to be retrieved or recovered.
  • The damage to the relationship was irretrievable.

Synonyms

• Recoverable: Capable of being regained or restored.
• Accessible: Able to be reached or obtained.
• Recallable: Capable of being remembered.
• Salvageable: Capable of being saved from loss or destruction.

Antonyms

• Irretrievable: Impossible to retrieve or recover.
• Lost: No longer possessed or known; unable to be found.
• Inaccessible: Unable to be reached or obtained.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Beyond retrieval: Impossible to get back or recover.
  • The files were corrupted and are now beyond retrieval.
• Retrieval system: A system designed for finding and obtaining stored information.
  • The library's new retrieval system is very efficient.

Adjective

1. capable of being regained especially with effort
   • he believed the information was retrievable