Skip to main content
Visual memory aid for Salvage

Salvage

To rescue or recover something from loss, damage, or ruin, or to reclaim usable material from discarded or damaged items.

verb

Check this word before you leave

Pick the meaning. Keys A–D work too.

How well do you know this word now?

Your choice schedules the next review.

💡

Imagine This

Picture divers underwater, pulling crates of copper and dishes from a sunken merchant ship and loading them onto a recovery boat to save valuables from the wreck.

🔊

Sounds Like

Pronounced SAL-vij (the 'g' sounds like a soft 'j')

👀

Looks Like

Looks like 'savage' with an extra 'l'

📝

Remember This

Salvage comes from the Latin salvare, meaning 'to save.' In maritime law, salvage rights determine ownership of recovered property.

📚

Other Forms

salvageableadjective
salvagedverb
salvagingverb
salvagernoun
salvagenoun
🔗

Connect With

rescue, recover, retrieve, reclaim, salvage operation

📌

Note

Use salvage as a verb (to save/recover) or a noun (the saved items or act of salvaging). Distinguish from 'save' in everyday use and from 'salve' (a cream) which is unrelated. In legal contexts, 'salvage rights' can have specific meanings regarding compensation for recovering property.

🧠

Study Deeper

Examples
  • The Coast Guard was able to salvage valuable crates from the sunken freighter.
  • After the fire, they managed to salvage photographs and keepsakes from the ashes.
Synonyms
rescuerecoverretrievereclaimsave
Antonyms
abandondiscardwaste
Etymology

From Old French salvage, from Latin salvare 'to save'; related to saving and safety concepts.

Mnemonic

SALVAGE: Save All Lost Valuables And Goods Endure

Next Word

Continue in alphabetical order.

Sarcasm

Study beyond this word

Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan

Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.

Compare all resources
Seberson Method SAT Vocabulary Workbook book cover

Vocabulary in context

SAT Vocabulary Workbook

The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.

Check the workbook
The Official Digital SAT Study Guide book cover

First-time test takers

Official SAT Guide

Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.

Check the official guide

Paid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.