English · Word Candidate

rehab

/ˈɹiːhæb/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: rehabs · rehabbing · rehabbed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Rehabilitation, especially to treat the use of recreational drugs.

NounRegister: informal

Examples

go into rehab

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An institution for rehabilitation.

NounRegister: informal

Examples

The assimilationists would have you believe that there is no lesbian or gay underclass, white or of color. That the junkies, crackheads and rummies in the drunk-tanks and welfare rehabs are all straight. Our addicts all have ample checkbooks, the best insurance their professions can buy, and members

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To rehabilitate.

VerbRegister: informal

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “rehab” mean?

Rehabilitation, especially to treat the use of recreational drugs.

Is “rehab” formal or informal?

rehab is generally informal.