Louis Leakey

I put a bullet into the back of the crocodile's neck just behind the head, thus killing it. If a crocodile is hit in any other part of its anatomy it disappears into the water and is irrecoverable.

British Scientist

Often indicates that something is permanently gone with no hope of return.

Finality Implication

Used to express deep loss or irreversible damage, adding a sense of gravity.

Emotional Weight

Don't confuse 'irrecoverable' with 'irreversible'; some irreversible things can be replaced.

Not Interchangeable

In finance, 'irrecoverable' means funds are accepted as lost and not expected back.

Accounting Specific

Often relates to 'write-offs', a term for removing uncollectable amounts from accounts.

Write-offs

Recognizing something as irrecoverable affects a company's financial statements and profit.

Irrecoverable