cure
noun · verb
Simple meaning
A method, device or medication that restores good health.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
kyoorIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈkjʊɹ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A method, device or medication that restores good health.
An act of healing or state of being healed; restoration to health after a disease, or to soundness after injury.
figurative
A solution to a problem.
A process of preservation, as by smoking.
A process of solidification or gelling.
Spiritual charge; care of soul; the office of a parish priest or of a curate.
verb
transitive
To restore to health.
transitive
To bring (a disease or its bad effects) to an end.
To preserve (food), typically by salting.
transitive
To cause to be rid of (a defect).
intransitive
To solidify or gel.
intransitive
To bring about a cure of any kind.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B1 · Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A method, device or medication that restores good health.
Used this way, cure is a reasonably familiar word with a mildly favourable edge. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Slightly positive
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Moderate
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Positive and appreciative
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use cure
- “The treatment cured the boy's acne.”verb
- “The apricots cure in the sun.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases.
Care provided through prayer and faith in God.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.