salve
7 synonyms and 5 antonyms for salve, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
“She rubbed salve into the burn to ease the pain.”
How to use salve
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lip salve
salve a wound
salve one's conscience
Etymology
From Old English sealf, "ointment," tracing back to a very old root meaning "to smear."
Full origin of salve →Frequently asked questions
What does “salve” mean?
The word “salve” means a soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin. In plain terms, a healing cream, or figuratively, something that eases a bad feeling like guilt.
How do you pronounce “salve”?
“Salve” is pronounced sahv (/sæ(l)v/ in IPA).
How do you use “salve” in a sentence?
Here is “salve” used in a sentence: “She rubbed salve into the burn to ease the pain.”
What part of speech is “salve”?
Depending on how it is used, “salve” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “salve” come from?
The word “salve” comes from Old English. From Old English sealf, "ointment," tracing back to a very old root meaning "to smear.".
How many meanings does “salve” have?
“Salve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soothing or healing ointment applied to the skin.
