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rehabilitate

ree-uh-BIL-uh-tayt /ˌriːəˈbɪlɪteɪt/

verbB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

formalmedicallegal

To restore someone to health, normal life, or constructive societal participation through training and therapy.

Broad usage: can refer to physical therapy, addiction recovery, criminal reformation, or restoring a building/reputation.

The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 're-' (again) and 'habilitare' (to make fit or suitable, from 'habilis' meaning manageable or able). Originally used in legal medieval canon law to restore someone's lost rights or privileges.

Word relationships

reform: 'Reform' focuses on changing moral conduct, while 'rehabilitate' emphasizes restoring full function or social integration.
reconstruct: Applies more to physical objects or plans than human behavior or health.

degrade: To lower in dignity or quality.
corrupt: To ruin morally or destroy capability.

Commonly confused with

recidivate: 'Rehabilitate' is positive restoration; 'recidivate' is slipping back into criminal behavior.

Word family

rehabilitation (noun): The process of restoring capability or social standing.
rehabilitative (adjective): Tending to rehabilitate.

Collocations

rehabilitate offenders
rehabilitate a reputation
rehabilitate injuries

Example sentences

"The program aims to rehabilitate convicts by offering job training and educational degrees." Prison Reform Policy
"After knee surgery, she worked with a physical therapist to rehabilitate her leg muscles." Medical Recovery

Memory hook

Re + HABILITate -> Make someone ABLE again. Make ABLE again.

When not to use

Do not use to mean simply 'punish' or 'restrain'; it explicitly implies improvement and restoration.

Fun facts

In legal terms, 'rehabilitation' used to mean officially giving someone back their nobility title after they had been stripped of it.