cure
6 synonyms and 0 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.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cure
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.