Retreive vs. Retrieve — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 20, 2024
"Retreive" is incorrect, while "Retrieve" is correct. "Retrieve" means to recover or bring back something.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Retreive or Retrieve
How to spell Retrieve?
Retreive
Incorrect Spelling
Retrieve
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of the word “give” – it ends with “-ieve”, like "Retrieve".
"i" before "e" except after "c". In "Retrieve", "i" comes before "e".
Remember “trie” as in “triangle”. Both have “trie” in their spelling.
Use mnemonic: "I tried to Retrieve", focusing on the "trie".
Visualize the action of retrieving an item, and remember that "Retrieve" has the correct "i" positioning.
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How Do You Spell Retrieve Correctly?
Incorrect: Can you retreive the documents from the file cabinet?
Correct: Can you retrieve the documents from the file cabinet?
Incorrect: He tried to retreive the ball from the roof.
Correct: He tried to retrieve the ball from the roof.
Incorrect: I need to retreive my luggage from the airport.
Correct: I need to retrieve my luggage from the airport.
Incorrect: She was able to retreive her lost email with the help of tech support.
Correct: She was able to retrieve her lost email with the help of tech support.
Incorrect: The dog was trained to retreive objects that were thrown.
Correct: The dog was trained to retrieve objects that were thrown.
Retrieve Definitions
"Retrieve" means to recover something lost or misplaced.
She managed to retrieve her lost keys.
Get or bring (something) back from somewhere
Steven stooped and retrieved his hat
I was sent to retrieve the balls from his garden
"Retrieve" denotes bringing back to a normal state or condition.
Efforts were made to retrieve the situation.
"Retrieve" can mean to recall or remember something.
He struggled to retrieve the memory.
"Retrieve" implies getting information from a database or computer.
The system will retrieve the required data.
"Retrieve" relates to dogs fetching game.
The trained dog could retrieve the fallen bird swiftly.
Find or extract (information stored in a computer)
Other features include the ability to store, update, retrieve, and print your data
Put right or improve (an unwelcome situation)
He made one last desperate attempt to retrieve the situation
An act of retrieving something, especially game that has been shot
Watch the dog make the long retrieves
The possibility of recovery
He ruined himself beyond retrieve
To get back into one's grasp, possession, or control, especially from a known place or a place of storage
Retrieved his coat from the closet.
To go to and bring or escort back (someone)
Retrieved his friend from the bus station.
To search for, find, and bring back
Divers retrieving artifacts from a shipwreck.
To search for, find, and carry back (killed game or a thrown object). Used of dogs.
To gain access to (stored information).
To recall to mind (a memory, for example); remember.
To rescue or save
Tried to retrieve him from the degradation of life as a runaway.
(Sports) To make a difficult but successful return of (a ball or shuttlecock, as in tennis or badminton).
To restore to a former or desirable condition
Did whatever he could to retrieve his honor.
To rectify the unfavorable consequences of; remedy
"An attempt was made to retrieve the blunder" (Francis Parkman).
To find and bring back game or a thrown object
A dog trained to retrieve.
The act of retrieving; retrieval.
(Sports) A difficult but successful return of a ball or shuttlecock.
(transitive) To regain or get back something.
To retrieve one's character or independence; to retrieve a thrown ball
(transitive) To rescue (a creature).
(transitive) To salvage something
(transitive) To remedy or rectify something.
(transitive) To remember or recall something.
(transitive) To fetch or carry back something, especially (computing) a file or data record.
(transitive) To fetch and bring in game.
The cook doesn't care what's shot, only what's actually retrieved.
(intransitive) To fetch and bring in game systematically.
Dog breeds called 'retrievers' were selected for retrieving.
(intransitive) To fetch or carry back systematically, notably as a game.
Most dogs love retrieving, regardless of what object is thrown.
To make a difficult but successful return of the ball.
(obsolete) To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair (a loss or damage).
A retrieval
(sports) The return of a difficult ball
(obsolete) A seeking again; a discovery.
(obsolete) The recovery of game once sprung.
To find again; to recover; to regain; to restore from loss or injury; as, to retrieve one's character; to retrieve independence.
With late repentance now they would retrieveThe bodies they forsook, and wish to live.
To recall; to bring back.
To retrieve them from their cold, trivial conceits.
To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair, as a loss or damadge.
Accept my sorrow, and retrieve my fall.
There is much to be done . . . and much to be retrieved.
To discover and bring in game that has been killed or wounded; as, a dog naturally inclined to retrieve.
A seeking again; a discovery.
The recovery of game once sprung; - an old sporting term.
Get or find back; recover the use of;
She regained control of herself
She found her voice and replied quickly
Of trained dogs
Recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection;
I can't remember saying any such thing
I can't think what her last name was
Can you remember her phone number?
Do you remember that he once loved you?
Call up memories
Retrieve Meaning in a Sentence
Please retrieve your belongings before you leave the room.
The rescue team was able to retrieve the stranded hikers.
He went to retrieve a book from the library.
It's difficult to retrieve information from the damaged hard drive.
Retrieve your ticket stubs for a discount on your next purchase.
To retrieve your history, simply go to the settings menu.
The software can help you retrieve lost data.
You can retrieve your password using the "Forgot Password?" feature.
Scientists are working to retrieve samples from the ocean floor.
The goalkeeper made a quick move to retrieve the ball from the goal line.
She had to retrieve her thoughts before responding to the question.
Can you retrieve the message I accidentally deleted?
He managed to retrieve his reputation with a public apology.
Dogs love to play games that involve retrieving a ball or frisbee.
The company needs to retrieve the defective products from stores.
Please retrieve all files related to the project for the meeting.
The athlete had to retrieve his focus after the distraction.
It took hours to retrieve all the items thrown into the pool as a prank.
The cat loves to retrieve small toys thrown around the house.
The scout was sent ahead to retrieve information about the area.
You'll need to retrieve your ID from the main office.
Retrieve your coat from the cloakroom before you leave the building.
After the party, they had to retrieve decorations from the trees and roof.
The data retrieval process can retrieve lost files from your computer.
You can retrieve the article by searching for its title online.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Retrieve?
The verb form of Retrieve is "retrieve."
Which vowel is used before Retrieve?
No vowel precedes the word "Retrieve" by itself.
What is the pronunciation of Retrieve?
The pronunciation of Retrieve is /rɪˈtriːv/.
What is the root word of Retrieve?
The root word of Retrieve is "retriev-" from Old French "retrover."
Why is it called Retrieve?
Retrieve originates from Latin and Old French words meaning "to find again or recover."
What is the singular form of Retrieve?
Retrieve in its verb form doesn't have a singular or plural, but as a noun (as in "a retrieve"), it's singular.
Is Retrieve an abstract noun?
No, in its noun form, it is not abstract.
Is Retrieve a negative or positive word?
Retrieve is neutral; its connotation depends on the context.
Is Retrieve an adverb?
No, Retrieve is not an adverb.
Which preposition is used with Retrieve?
"From" can be used, as in "retrieve from."
Which conjunction is used with Retrieve?
No specific conjunction is inherently tied to "Retrieve." It can be used with any conjunction as per sentence structure.
Is Retrieve a vowel or consonant?
Retrieve is a word made up of both vowels and consonants.
Is Retrieve a collective noun?
No, Retrieve is not a collective noun.
Is the word Retrieve is imperative?
It can be used in the imperative mood, e.g., "Retrieve the documents!"
How do we divide Retrieve into syllables?
It can be divided as re-trie-ve.
What is a stressed syllable in Retrieve?
The second syllable "trie" is stressed.
What is the plural form of Retrieve?
For the noun form, it's "retrieves."
Is the Retrieve term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but it can be used metaphorically.
Is the word “Retrieve” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Retrieve" is a verb. However, when used in a sentence, the thing being retrieved can be the direct object.
What is another term for Retrieve?
Another term for Retrieve is "recover."
What is the opposite of Retrieve?
The opposite of Retrieve can be "discard" or "lose."
Which article is used with Retrieve?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with Retrieve depending on the context.
Is Retrieve a countable noun?
In its noun form, it can be countable (e.g., "two quick retrieves").
What is the first form of Retrieve?
The first form is "retrieve."
What is the third form of Retrieve?
The third form is "retrieved."
Which determiner is used with Retrieve?
Determiners like "this," "that," or any relevant determiner can be used based on context.
What is the second form of Retrieve?
The second form is "retrieved."
Is Retrieve a noun or adjective?
Retrieve is primarily a verb, but it can also be a noun. It's not an adjective.
Is the word Retrieve is Gerund?
No, "retrieving" would be the gerund form.
How many syllables are in Retrieve?
There are three syllables in Retrieve.
What part of speech is Retrieve?
Retrieve is primarily a verb.
How is Retrieve used in a sentence?
She managed to retrieve her misplaced phone from the cafe.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
