curative
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- curatively adverb
- curativeness noun
- noncurative adjective
- noncuratively adverb
- noncurativeness noun
- subcurative noun
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.
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
“Shrinking” executive producers and co-creators Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein also work together on that surprise curative, which dragged most of us through the pandemic and beyond.
From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026
Watt Smith’s “Bad Friend” proved a much-needed curative.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025
So when my oncologist used the words "curative intent" in a meeting to discuss treatment, I felt a huge weight lift off my chest.
From BBC • Sep. 14, 2024
Mom was big on the curative powers of sleep.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
