Cure
/kjʊər/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo bring about the recovery of a person or animal from a disease or injury.
/kjʊər/
To restore to health; to heal.
The doctor was able to cure the patient's illness.
💡 Simply: To make someone feel better and healthy again after they've been sick or hurt. Like, if you have a cold, medicine might cure you!
👶 For kids: To make someone or something better when they are sick or hurt.
More Examples
Scientists are searching for a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
A long vacation cured his stress.
How It's Used
"Doctors are working to cure cancer."
"She was cured of her sadness by the good news."
A thing that relieves or eliminates a disease or condition.
/kjʊər/
A means of healing.
The doctors are working hard to find a cure for the virus.
💡 Simply: Something that makes a sick person or a problem go away. Like, the medicine is the cure for my headache.
👶 For kids: Something that makes you feel better when you are sick.
More Examples
A good night's sleep is often a cure for tiredness.
This new treatment offers a potential cure.
How It's Used
"Researchers are seeking a cure for the disease."
"Laughter can be a cure for sadness."
To preserve (food) by salting, smoking, or other means.
/kjʊər/
To preserve or treat (food) by drying, smoking, or salting.
The butchers cured the sausages.
💡 Simply: To treat food with salt or smoke so that it can be stored for a longer time. Like, they cured the meat to keep it from spoiling.
👶 For kids: To prepare food to make it last longer.
More Examples
Traditionally, hams were cured with salt.
The process is used to cure the bacon.
How It's Used
"They cured the ham using salt and smoke."
"The process of curing meat has been practiced for centuries."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Prevention is the best cure.
It is better to prevent something bad from happening than to have to deal with it after it happens.
"To avoid illness, practicing healthy habits is the 'prevention is the best cure'."
From Middle English *curen*, from Old French *curer* (“to care for, heal”), from Latin *cūrare* (“to take care of, attend to”), from *cūra* (“care”).
The word 'cure' has been used for centuries, evolving from Latin roots signifying care and concern.
Memory tip
Think of a doctor providing a 'cure' to make a patient feel better.
Word Origin
"care"