cure

8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for cure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A treatment or remedy that restores health or solves a problem.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

restore treatment

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

remedy heal mend therapeutic

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

antidote curative

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A treatment or remedy that restores health or solves a problem.

“Rest and plenty of fluids are the only cure for a common cold.”

remedy heal restore mend antidote treatment therapeutic curative

Opposites

disease ailment

2. verb

To restore someone to health, or to fix a problem completely.

“A short course of tablets cured the rash completely.”

heal

How to use cure

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

cure a disease cured meat cure for cancer

Etymology

From Old French cure, "care, healing," from Latin cura, "care, medical attention" — the same root behind "curator" and "manicure."

Full origin of cure →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cure” mean?

The word “cure” means a treatment or remedy that restores health or solves a problem. In plain terms, to fix or heal something completely, or (for food) to preserve it using salt, smoke, or drying.

How do you pronounce “cure”?

“Cure” is pronounced ky (/kjʊɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “cure” in a sentence?

Here is “cure” used in a sentence: “Scientists are racing to find a cure for the disease.”

What part of speech is “cure”?

Depending on how it is used, “cure” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cure” come from?

The word “cure” comes from Latin. From Old French cure, "care, healing," from Latin cura, "care, medical attention" — the same root behind "curator" and "manicure.".

Is “cure” a common word?

“Cure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “cure” have?

“Cure” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a treatment or remedy that restores health or solves a problem.

What is the difference between "cure" and "treatment"?

A "cure" ends a disease or problem completely and restores health, while a "treatment" is care given to manage or relieve a condition, which may or may not cure it. A chronic illness might have effective treatments but no cure.

What is the difference between "cure" and "heal"?

"Cure" usually means to eliminate a specific disease or fix a problem, often through medicine or a remedy. "Heal" refers to the natural process of becoming healthy again, especially of wounds, and can also apply to emotional recovery.

What is the difference between "cure" and "remedy"?

A "cure" removes an illness or problem entirely, while a "remedy" is any medicine or measure used to treat or relieve it, without a guarantee of a complete fix. Every cure is a remedy, but not every remedy is a cure.

People also searched

treatment disease restore heal therapeutic remedy mend antidote curative ailment

Nearby words

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