panacea
1 Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- panacean adjective
Etymology
Origin of panacea
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin, from Greek panákeia, equivalent to panake-, stem of panakḗs “all-healing” ( pan- “all” + akḗs “a cure”) + -ia noun suffix; pan-, -ia
Explanation
If someone offers you a pill that promises eternal life, don’t take the pill. It’s a panacea, a remedy that falsely claims to solve every problem ever. The Greek word pan means “all” (think of a panorama, a view where you can see everywhere). The Greek word for “cure” is akēs (which looks like the word “aches”). Those are the roots of panacea, a cure for all aches. But a panacea doesn’t really cure everything; it just acts like it can. Use the word to describe an unbelievable solution, like a new law that will make everyone rich, or a robot that does your homework for you.
Vocabulary lists containing panacea
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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100 Words to Make You Sound Smart
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For National Pancake Day, Words With the Greek Roots "Pan-"
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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.
Responding to the ASA's decision on Wednesday, Coinbase said it recognised digital assets were "not a panacea".
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
“But the medicines aren’t a panacea either — in their current iteration.”
From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026
“We’re pretty clear that nicotine is not some smart drug or panacea for the normal range of human behavior and cognition,” Newhouse said.
From Salon • Jan. 9, 2026
Of course, more-defensive dividend ETFs aren’t always a panacea in a down market.
From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026
The long promised “breakthrough,” when or if it comes, cannot be expected to be a panacea for all types of malignancy.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
