restorative

American  

[ri-stawr-uh-tiv, -stohr-] / rɪˈstɔr ə tɪv, -ˈstoʊr- /

adjective

1. serving to restore; pertaining to restoration.

2. capable of renewing health or strength.

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noun

1. a restorative agent, means, or the like.

2. a means of restoring a person to consciousness.

   Smelling salts serve as a restorative.

restorative British  

/ rɪˈstɒrətɪv /

adjective

1. tending to revive or renew health, spirits, etc

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noun

1. anything that restores or revives, esp a drug or agent that promotes health or strength

Other Word Forms

• nonrestorative adjective
• unrestorative adjective

Etymology

Origin of restorative

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English restoratif (adjective and noun), from Middle French restauratif, from Latin restaurāt(us) (past participle of restaurāre “to rebuild, repair”; see restore) + Middle French -if -ive

Explanation

Restorative things give you energy or make you feel better. Your dad might have a favorite restorative chicken soup he makes you whenever you have a cold. Antibiotics can be restorative to a patient with an infection, and a good night's sleep is almost always restorative, no matter how tired you are. If something brings you back to life or helps you recover, it's restorative. Sometimes people use this word as a noun, to mean "medicine for strength." Restorative has a Latin root, restaurare, "repair, rebuild, or renew."

Example Sentences

The Southern California native also has been assigned to the restorative justice drug court and the Law Enforcement Accountability and Integrity Unit, where she consulted on police misconduct cases.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

But let’s assume that “Michael” could be the restorative justice that the Jackson estate and his indignant fans hope it will be.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Immersive dreams may also help maintain a sense of separation from the external environment, which is a key feature of restorative sleep, even while parts of the brain remain active.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

One pathway toward restorative justice, he said, is that "all the looted artifacts are returned to the motherland."

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

I got this one typed up as Miss Volker stretched out on the couch and took a restorative nap.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos