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.
“While far from a panacea, it’s helping to offset a portion of the shipping disruptions.”
From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026
He slammed growing unilateralism and protectionism, which he said was "no panacea for resolving problems".
From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026
Responding to the ASA's decision on Wednesday, Coinbase said it recognised digital assets were "not a panacea".
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
In 2052, a celebrated neuroscientist invents an affordable panacea for suffering that’s soon embraced by the entire human race.
From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025
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.
