curative
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of curative
1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French curatif < Medieval Latin cūrātīvus, equivalent to Late Latin cūrāt ( us ) (past participle of curāre to care for, attend to; see cure); see -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her doctors say there is another drug trial option in case it is not successful - but she has been advised that these treatments are not curative.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
In aplastic anemia, where the marrow stops making enough blood cells, and in inherited blood disorders such as sickle-cell disease, stem-cell transplantation has emerged as a curative therapy as the procedure has become safer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
Watt Smith’s “Bad Friend” proved a much-needed curative.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025
“That was a blatant and wholly inappropriate effort to call sympathy for their client,” he said, requesting a curative instruction, The New York Times reported.
From Salon • May 28, 2024
Later, indeed, Holmes would establish his own curative spa on the second floor of his Englewood building and call it the Silver Ash Institute.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
