adj
Common
therapeutic
thehr-uh-PYOO-tihk
Therapeutic (adj) means having a healing effect on the body or mind. Example: “The soft music and warm lights had a therapeutic effect on the whole room.”
adj
1
Having a healing effect on the body or mind.
"The soft music and warm lights had a therapeutic effect on the whole room."
"Gardening can be a therapeutic way to relax after work."
"The medication has a therapeutic effect on chronic pain."
2
Relating to the treatment of illness.
"Physical exercise is a common therapeutic treatment for a bad back."
"The hospital offers therapeutic services for patients recovering from surgery."
"The clinic uses several therapeutic approaches for recovery."
How to use therapeutic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHelping you feel better, physically or emotionally.
Common pairings
therapeutic effect
therapeutic value
a therapeutic massage
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Word forms
- Plural
- therapeutics
- Comparative
- more therapeutic
- Superlative
- most therapeutic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soft music and warm lights had a _____ effect on the whole room.
Etymology
From Greek therapeutikos ("attentive, curative"), from therapeuo ("I attend to, treat, cure").
Synonyms
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healing
restorative
beneficial
soothing
palliative
salutary
sanative
alterative
therapeutical
curative
remedial
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “therapeutic” mean?
The word “therapeutic” means having a healing effect on the body or mind. In plain terms, helping you feel better, physically or emotionally.
How do you pronounce “therapeutic”?
“Therapeutic” is pronounced thehr-uh-PYOO-tihk (/ˌθɛɹ.əˈpju.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “therapeutic” in a sentence?
Here is “therapeutic” used in a sentence: “Gardening can be a therapeutic way to relax after work.”
What is another word for “therapeutic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “therapeutic” include therapeutical, curative and remedial.
What part of speech is “therapeutic”?
“Therapeutic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “therapeutic” come from?
The word “therapeutic” comes from Greek. From Greek therapeutikos ("attentive, curative"), from therapeuo ("I attend to, treat, cure").
Is “therapeutic” a common word?
“Therapeutic” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “therapeutic” have?
“Therapeutic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a healing effect on the body or mind.
What is the difference between "therapeutic" and "medicinal"?
"Medicinal" usually refers specifically to substances, such as drugs or herbs, that treat or cure illness. "Therapeutic" is broader, covering anything with a healing effect on the body or mind, including activities, treatments, or environments, not just medicines.
Can "therapeutic" be used outside of medical contexts?
Yes, "therapeutic" is commonly used figuratively to describe non-medical activities that have a calming or healing effect on the mind, such as "gardening is therapeutic" or "a therapeutic walk." This extended use draws on the word's core sense of promoting wellbeing rather than strictly treating disease.
What is the difference between "therapeutic" and "curative"?
"Curative" specifically means capable of curing or eliminating an illness, while "therapeutic" more broadly describes anything that has a healing or beneficial effect, even if it does not fully cure a condition. A therapeutic activity may ease symptoms or improve wellbeing without curing the underlying problem.
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