Meaning & use
comeback
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Meanings
nouncountable
A return to success, fame, or power after a period of failure or absence.
Grammar: Countable, so use a/an or the: stage a comeback, make a comeback.
Patterns
- make a comeback
- stage a comeback
- a comeback after something
The singer made a surprising comeback after ten years away from the stage.
The team staged a dramatic comeback in the second half and won 3–2.
Her comeback album sold better than anything she had recorded before.
nouncountableinformal
A quick reply that answers criticism or a remark, especially a clever one.
Grammar: Countable and informal; often used with a possessive: my comeback, his comeback.
Patterns
- a quick comeback
- a comeback to something
- come back with a comeback
He always has a quick comeback when someone teases him.
I couldn't think of a good comeback, so I just smiled.
Her comeback to the reporter's question made everyone laugh.
Word forms
| plural | comebacks |
|---|
Common combinations
- make a comeback
- Many old fashion styles make a comeback every few decades.
- stage a comeback
- The company staged a comeback after nearly going out of business.
- a comeback tour
- The band announced a comeback tour across Europe.
- a comeback victory
- It was a remarkable comeback victory for the young team.
- a quick comeback
- She is famous for her quick comebacks during interviews.
Synonyms and how they differ
- return
- Neutral and general; use it for coming back to a place or activity, while comeback usually suggests success after failure.
- revival
- Often used for things like styles, industries, or interest, and sounds more formal than comeback.
- retort
- Fits only the 'clever reply' sense and is more formal and literary than comeback.
Opposites
Word family
- come back phrasal verb
- To return to a place or to become successful again.
Commonly confused: comeback or come back?
comeback vs come back
The phrasal verb is written as two words: Please come back soon. The noun is one word: She made a comeback.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'comeback' correctly?
Choose one answer.
As a noun, 'comeback' is one word and commonly follows 'make' or 'stage'. Option B splits the noun into two words, which is the verb phrase; C uses the noun where a verb is needed; D uses the wrong preposition pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “comeback”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.