devolver

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restore, give back, return, give back, return
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/debolˈbeɾ/
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To send something back, restore it, answer in kind or bring it up from the stomach.

Examples

  • La reparación devolvió la máquina a su estado original.
    The repair restored the machine to its original condition.
  • La noticia le devolvió la esperanza.
    The news restored her hope.
  • El editor devolvió el manuscrito con correcciones.
    The editor sent back the manuscript with corrections.
  • El descanso me devolvió las fuerzas.
    Rest gave me back my strength.
  • La administración devolvió la solicitud incompleta.
    The administration sent back the incomplete application.

Similar words

corresponder
retornar
reintegrar
restituir
vomitar
rechazar
restituir
reponer
regresar

Meanings

Restore

verb
restoration
neutral
Cause someone or something to regain an earlier state.

Examples

  • La noticia le devolvió la esperanza.
    The news restored her hope.
  • El descanso me devolvió las fuerzas.
    Rest gave me back my strength.
  • La luz devolvió el color al jardín.
    The light brought back the garden’s colours.
  • Esa canción me devuelve la alegría.
    That song brings back my happiness.
  • La reparación devolvió la máquina a su estado original.
    The repair restored the machine to its original condition.

Similar words

Give back

verb
return
neutral
Return a thing or money to the person who had it before.

Examples

  • Te devuelvo el libro mañana.
    I’ll return your book tomorrow.
  • El banco me devolvió el dinero.
    The bank returned my money.
  • Por favor, devuelve las llaves.
    Please give back the keys.
  • Le devolvieron el pasaporte al viajero.
    They returned the traveller’s passport.
  • Voy a devolver el abrigo a su dueño.
    I’m going to return the coat to its owner.

Similar words

Return a purchase

verb
shopping
neutral
Take an unwanted purchase back to the seller, usually for a refund.

Examples

  • Quiero devolver estos zapatos.
    I want to return these shoes.
  • La tienda devuelve el importe en siete días.
    The shop refunds the price within seven days.
  • Devolví la camisa porque no me quedaba bien.
    I returned the shirt because it did not fit.
  • ¿Puedo devolver el producto sin recibo?
    Can I return the product without a receipt?
  • Si está roto, puedes devolverlo al vendedor.
    If it is broken, you can return it to the seller.

Similar words

Return a gesture

verb
reciprocity
neutral
Respond to a call, visit, favour or greeting with one of your own.

Examples

  • Ella devolvió la llamada por la tarde.
    She returned the call in the afternoon.
  • Mañana les devolveremos la visita.
    Tomorrow we will return their visit.
  • Quise devolverle el favor.
    I wanted to return the favour.
  • Él devolvió el saludo con una sonrisa.
    He returned the greeting with a smile.
  • No sabía cómo devolver tanta amabilidad.
    I did not know how to repay so much kindness.

Similar words

Reject and send back

verb
rejection
neutral
Send a document or piece of work back because it does not meet requirements.

Examples

  • La oficina devolvió la factura porque faltaba un dato.
    The office sent back the invoice because a detail was missing.
  • Nos devolvieron el formulario sin firmar.
    They returned the unsigned form to us.
  • El editor devolvió el manuscrito con correcciones.
    The editor sent back the manuscript with corrections.
  • El banco devolvió el recibo impagado.
    The bank returned the unpaid bill.
  • La administración devolvió la solicitud incompleta.
    The administration sent back the incomplete application.

Similar words

Vomit

verb
health
informal
Bring food or stomach contents back up through the mouth; colloquial.

Examples

  • El niño devolvió la comida.
    The child threw up his food.
  • Me mareé en el barco y devolví.
    I felt sick on the boat and vomited.
  • Después de cenar, devolvió todo.
    After dinner, she threw up everything.
  • El olor le dio náuseas y devolvió.
    The smell made him nauseous and he vomited.
  • Si el bebé devuelve varias veces, llama al médico.
    If the baby vomits several times, call the doctor.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin devolvere, “to roll down” or “unroll”.

FAQ

What does devolver most often mean?

To give something back to its owner.

How do you say “I return it”?

Lo devuelvo; the first person is devuelvo.

What is its past participle?

Devuelto, as in he devuelto el libro.

Can it mean return a purchase?

Yes, such as taking shoes back to a shop.

What does devolver una llamada mean?

To return a phone call.

Can devolver mean vomit?

Yes, colloquially; vomitar is the neutral verb.

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