Explanation at your level:
A repair is when you fix something. If your toy is broken, you do a repair. Now it is good again. You use it when things stop working. It is very helpful!
A repair is the work you do to fix a broken item. For example, if your bike has a flat tire, the repair makes it rideable again. You can say 'The car is under repair' when it is at the shop.
When you perform a repair, you are restoring an object to its original state. It is a common noun in daily life. You might need a repair for your phone, your shoes, or your house. It implies that the item was useful before and will be useful again after the work is finished.
The noun repair often appears in professional or technical contexts. We talk about the 'cost of repair' or 'major repairs' needed for infrastructure. It suggests a structured approach to fixing damage, distinguishing it from casual 'patching up' or 'tinkering'.
In advanced English, repair can be used in abstract contexts, such as the 'repair of a damaged reputation' or the 'repair of social relations'. It implies a deliberate, restorative effort to mend something that has suffered a significant breach or decline in quality.
At the C2 level, repair carries connotations of restoration and preservation. It is used in academic discourse regarding historical conservation or systemic maintenance. The nuance lies in the permanence and skill required; a repair is not merely a fix, but a return to integrity.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A repair is the act of fixing something.
- It is a countable noun.
- Common phrases include 'under repair'.
- It is used in both formal and casual settings.
Think of a repair as a second chance for your belongings! When something stops working—like a leaky faucet, a torn shirt, or a glitchy computer—the work you do to make it useful again is called a repair.
It is a very common word in everyday life. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast fixing things around the house or a professional mechanic, you are constantly performing repairs to keep the world running smoothly.
The word repair has a fascinating journey through time. It comes from the Old French word reparer, which itself comes from the Latin reparare, meaning 'to make ready again' or 'restore'.
The root word parare means 'to prepare'. So, when you repair something, you are literally 'preparing' it for use once more. It entered the English language in the 14th century and has remained a staple ever since.
You will most often hear the word used in phrases like 'under repair' or 'in need of repair'. It is a neutral term, fitting perfectly in both casual conversations and formal business reports.
Remember that as a noun, we often use it with verbs like 'carry out', 'effect', or 'undertake' to sound more professional. For casual talk, simply saying 'I need a repair' works just fine!
Idioms help us sound more natural. 'Beyond repair' means something is too damaged to be fixed. 'In a state of disrepair' describes something that has been neglected for a long time.
We also say 'patch up' to mean a quick, temporary repair. These expressions add color to your English and help you describe the condition of objects more vividly.
As a noun, repair is usually countable. You can say 'one repair' or 'many repairs'. The stress falls on the second syllable: re-PAIR.
It rhymes with 'air', 'care', and 'share'. When speaking, ensure you emphasize that second syllable to sound clear and natural to native speakers.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'prepare'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'ree-pair' with a soft r at the end.
Sounds like 'ree-pair' with a stronger r sound.
Common Errors
- stressing the first syllable
- mispronouncing the vowel sound
- dropping the final r
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
a repair
Prepositional Phrases
under repair
Collocations
carry out a repair
Examples by Level
The repair is done.
The fixing is finished.
Simple subject-verb-adjective.
The car needs a repair.
The repair was fast.
I paid for the repair.
The repair is expensive.
He did a good repair.
The repair took all day.
Is the repair finished?
That is a big repair.
The house is in need of repair.
The bridge is currently under repair.
We need to schedule a repair for the boiler.
The cost of the repair was quite high.
He specializes in the repair of antique clocks.
The repair restored the machine to working order.
They carried out a minor repair.
The repair shop is closed today.
The building has fallen into a state of disrepair.
The repair of the damaged dam was a top priority.
Technicians are conducting a repair on the main line.
The warranty covers the cost of any necessary repair.
He is an expert in the repair of electronic circuits.
The repair process was much longer than anticipated.
They are seeking funds for the repair of the roof.
The repair work was completed ahead of schedule.
The diplomat sought the repair of the broken alliance.
The repair of the stained glass window was a delicate task.
Social repair is essential after such a conflict.
The repair of his reputation took several years.
They focused on the repair of the city's infrastructure.
The repair of the ancient manuscript required great care.
He insisted on a complete repair of the system.
The repair of the relationship was his only goal.
The structural repair of the cathedral was a monumental undertaking.
He advocated for the systemic repair of the economic framework.
The repair of the cultural heritage site was internationally funded.
Her work focused on the repair of fractured political discourse.
The repair of the ecosystem is a long-term project.
They engaged in the repair of the historical narrative.
The repair of the damaged psyche is a complex process.
A thorough repair of the legal code was proposed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"beyond repair"
impossible to fix
The car was damaged beyond repair.
neutral"in a state of disrepair"
neglected and falling apart
The old barn is in a state of disrepair.
formal"patch up"
a quick or temporary fix
We just need to patch up the hole for now.
casual"quick fix"
a fast, often temporary solution
There is no quick fix for this problem.
neutral"mend fences"
to repair a relationship
It is time to mend fences with your brother.
neutral"stitch in time"
fixing something early saves work later
A stitch in time saves nine.
idiomaticEasily Confused
Both mean to mend.
Fix is more casual; repair is more formal.
I'll fix it vs. I'll perform a repair.
Both mean to restore.
Mend is often for fabric or abstract things.
Mend a shirt vs. Repair a car.
Both involve fixing.
Restore implies returning to a former state.
Restore a building.
Both involve work.
Renovate is for buildings/rooms.
Renovate a kitchen.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + under + repair
The road is under repair.
Subject + needs + a + repair
My watch needs a repair.
Subject + carry out + a + repair
They carried out a repair.
Subject + in + need of + repair
The house is in need of repair.
Subject + beyond + repair
The item is beyond repair.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Repair is countable when referring to a specific instance.
Fix is usually a verb, repair is both.
The standard idiom is 'under repair'.
Repairment is not a standard English word.
Countable nouns need articles.
Tips
The 'Pair' Trick
Think of 're-pairing' two pieces of a broken item.
Professionalism
Use 'repair' instead of 'fix' in business emails.
DIY Culture
Many English speakers take pride in doing their own repairs.
Countable Noun
Always use 'a' or 'the' before repair.
Stress the Second
Always stress the second syllable: re-PAIR.
Avoid 'Repairment'
Stick to 'repair' as the noun.
Latin Roots
It comes from the Latin word for preparing.
Contextual Learning
Learn it with 'under' and 'need of'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Re-pair: To pair things back together again.
Visual Association
A person sewing two pieces of fabric back together.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room and find three things that need a repair.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to make ready again
Cultural Context
None.
Repair culture is common in the West, though 'DIY' (Do It Yourself) is a cultural phenomenon.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the mechanic
- How much for the repair?
- When will the repair be done?
At home
- The sink needs a repair.
- I can do the repair myself.
Business
- The repair costs are high.
- We require a professional repair.
Technology
- The phone is in for repair.
- The screen needs a repair.
Conversation Starters
"What is the most expensive repair you have ever paid for?"
"Do you prefer to do your own repairs?"
"What is something you own that is beyond repair?"
"Have you ever been to a repair shop?"
"Why do you think some people enjoy fixing things?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you fixed something.
Describe an object in your house that needs a repair.
Why is it important to keep things in good repair?
If you could repair any relationship, would you?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is both!
Repairs.
No, that is not a word.
They are mostly the same, but 'fix' is more casual.
Yes, it is the standard phrase.
No, usually only objects or abstract concepts.
ree-PAIR.
It is neutral and professional.
Test Yourself
The broken toy needs a ___.
We fix broken things with a repair.
What is a repair?
Repair means to fix.
You can say 'The bridge is under repair'.
This is a standard collocation.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms and related concepts.
Subject + verb + object.
Score: /5
Summary
A repair is the simple, necessary work we do to bring broken things back to life.
- A repair is the act of fixing something.
- It is a countable noun.
- Common phrases include 'under repair'.
- It is used in both formal and casual settings.
The 'Pair' Trick
Think of 're-pairing' two pieces of a broken item.
Professionalism
Use 'repair' instead of 'fix' in business emails.
DIY Culture
Many English speakers take pride in doing their own repairs.
Countable Noun
Always use 'a' or 'the' before repair.
Example
The bike needs a small repair before I can ride it.
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Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
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