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

• restoratives
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• nonrestorative
  adjective
• unrestorative
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• restoratives
  plural

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

See Examples For:

restorative restoratives

"This technology could help millions of people get the restorative sleep they need."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

Here is how restorative justice generally worked in the two schools I taught at: A student would disrupt class, shouting at me or throwing objects at other students.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

In adults, it could function as a long-term treatment or provide temporary protection until a restorative procedure becomes affordable or practical.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council, where Ashley's son went to school, said there was a clear process for reporting and addressing bullying, involving investigations, appropriate sanctions and restorative discussions.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

After a week of the normal chaos of school and family, she needed these peaceful, restorative Saturday morning rides with Dodger.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

I call them restoratives, as they replenish and nourish me.

From New York Times ● Jan. 21, 2022

Chains such as Lush, the U.K.-based company with 200 U.S. stores, and Ulta Beauty, which has 1,100 stores, have both benefited from rising demand for moderately priced cosmetics, bath gels and other personal restoratives.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 20, 2020

Subsequently he was removed to Wagner’s hotel, where restoratives were administered by the attending physician.

From Slate ● Jun. 2, 2019

Barnips Lozenges, Coltsfoot Rock, and Teddy Gray's Herbal Tablets are among the old-fashioned restoratives still occupying a place in our medicine cabinets.

From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2016

He went out quickly, while the man of medicine opened his case and busied himself with restoratives.

From The Long Lane's Turning by Hallie Erminie Rives