repair

1.nounB2

Definition

the task of taking a damaged or faulty item and returning it to a usable state

Example

The old bike was in urgent need of repair after Arjun hit a stone.

collocation: in need of repair

Zayd took his guitar to the music shop for repair when a string snapped.

collocation: take/send something for repair

Common collocations

in need of repair
under repair
for repair
carry out a repair
make a repair
beyond repair
minor repair
major repair

Synonyms

fix
more informal and common in everyday speech; repair sounds slightly more formal
mending
usually refers to small repairs on clothing or fabric rather than mechanical objects
restoration
implies returning something to its original or excellent condition, often with care and skill

Antonyms

damage
the opposite of repair — harm or injury that reduces value or function
breakage
the act or result of breaking something, creating the need for repair

Usage Note

As an uncountable noun, repair refers to the general activity or state of being fixed (e.g. 'the car is in need of repair'). As a countable noun, it refers to a specific action or instance of fixing (e.g. 'he carried out several repairs').

Common Mistakes

The mechanic did a repair of my car.

The mechanic repaired my car' or 'The mechanic carried out a repair on my car.

With the noun repair, use 'carry out a repair on' or 'make a repair to', not 'do a repair of'.

The bridge is in repair.' (meaning it needs fixing)

The bridge is in need of repair' or 'The bridge is under repair.

'In repair' on its own can mean 'in good condition'; add 'need of' or 'under' for clarity.

1.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to make a physical object that has a crack, a tear, or a fault work or look as it should again — for instance, fixing a broken bike chain, a torn shirt, or a phone with a cracked screen

Example

A plumber came to repair the leaking pipe under the kitchen sink this morning.

Felix repaired the torn sleeve of his jacket with a needle and dark thread.

transitive: repair + damaged clothing item

Common collocations

repair a car/engine
repair a roof/wall/fence
repair a watch/clock
repair a computer/phone
repair clothing/shoes

Synonyms

fix
the most common alternative; slightly more informal and used in everyday conversation
mend
suggests a smaller or simpler repair, especially for clothes or minor damage
restore
stronger emphasis on returning something to its original good condition, often with careful work

Antonyms

break
to damage something so that it no longer works or is in one piece
damage
to cause physical harm to something, making repair necessary

Grammar Patterns

repair + object (physical thing)

Usage Note

The object of this sense is nearly always a physical object — a machine, tool, vehicle, building, item of clothing, or similar concrete thing. For abstract things like relationships or trust, use sense 2 below.

Common Mistakes

I need to repair my appointment.

I need to reschedule my appointment' or 'I need to cancel my appointment.

Repair is only for physical objects or abstract relationships, not for plans or events.

She repaired the problem quickly.

She fixed the problem quickly' or 'She repaired the machine quickly.

Use 'fix' or 'resolve' for problems; 'repair' is for the broken thing itself.

2.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to improve or make right a difficult or damaged situation — for example, restoring trust after a lie, rebuilding a friendship after an argument, or fixing a company's public image after a mistake

Example

After months of silence, the two brothers finally began to repair their relationship.

figurative: repair a relationship

The hotel chain tried to repair its reputation after guests complained about the dirty rooms.

figurative: repair a reputation

Common collocations

repair a relationship
repair a friendship
repair a reputation
repair trust
repair the damage
repair the harm
repair ties
repair relations

Synonyms

mend
used in exactly the same figurative way (mend a relationship, mend fences), slightly more informal
heal
stronger emotional tone, as if the damage were a wound; often used for trust and emotional bonds
restore
emphasises bringing back a previous good state; common in formal or political contexts

Antonyms

damage
to harm a relationship or reputation, making repair necessary
worsen
to make a bad situation even worse, the opposite of improving it

Grammar Patterns

repair + abstract noun (relationship, reputation, trust, damage)

Usage Note

The object is always an abstract noun such as a relationship, reputation, trust, friendship, or the damage/harm caused by an action. This sense often appears in business, political, or interpersonal contexts. Compare with sense 1, where the object is a physical object.

Common Mistakes

She repaired her mistake by apologising.

She repaired the damage caused by her mistake by apologising' or 'She made up for her mistake by apologising.

You repair the result of a mistake, not the mistake itself.

We need to repair the problem.

We need to fix the problem' or 'We need to resolve the problem.

Use 'repair' for the relationship or trust affected by the problem, not for the problem itself.

Phrasal verbs

repair to

phrasal verb

To go to a place, often for a specific purpose.

After dinner, the guests repaired to the living room for coffee.

The team repaired to the conference room to discuss the project.

Word family

repairable
adjectiveC1
irreparable
adjectiveC1
repairman
nounB2
repairer
nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe making something work again, but they differ in formality and scope. Repair is the most general and neutral term for putting broken or damaged items back into working condition; it suits both formal and informal contexts. Fix is the most common everyday word — people fix a meal, fix a bike, or fix a problem; it is slightly less formal than repair. Mend traditionally refers to small repairs on fabric or clothing (mend a shirt, mend a sock), but it also works figuratively for relationships. Restore implies bringing something back to its original or excellent state, often with care and skill — a museum restores a painting, a builder restores an old house. For immediate daily use, choose fix in conversation and repair in writing. Use mend for clothing or minor damage, and restore when the goal is to return something to its former beauty or condition. For example: 'Felix repaired the leaking pipe' suggests a standard job. 'Felix fixed the pipe' sounds more casual. 'Felix mended the tear in his sleeve' fits clothing. 'A specialist restored the antique clock' implies careful, expert work.

repair ↗fix ↗mend ↗restore ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

beyond repair
in need of repair
under repair
for repair
carry out a repair
make a repair

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle English

Repair comes from the Latin word 'reparare', meaning 'to make ready again' — from 're-' (again) and 'parare' (to prepare, make ready). It entered English through Old French 'reparer' in the 1300s. The sense of fixing broken objects has been the core meaning since the 1500s, while the figurative use for relationships and reputations developed in the 1600s. The noun form appeared in the early 1600s, originally meaning 'restoration to good condition'.

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repair

repair — noun

1. the task of taking a damaged or faulty item and returning it to a usable state

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

repair — verb

1. to make a physical object that has a crack, a tear, or a fault work or look as i

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to improve or make right a difficult or damaged situation — for example, restori

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

repair to

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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