WordGarden.iocure
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /kjˈɔː/
US
- /ˈkjʊr/
Meanings
Noun
a treatment or remedy that ends an illness
a solution that fixes a problem
Verb
to make someone healthy again or end an illness
to solve or remove a problem
to preserve food by salting, drying, or smoking it
More meaningsFewer meanings
to harden or set a material by a chemical or physical process
Beyond the definition
A cure isn't just about feeling better; it's about being better—completely healed from an illness or set free from a problem. Think of a scientist searching for a cure for a rare disease, or a leader looking for a cure for a serious social problem like poverty. It implies a lasting solution rather than a temporary quick fix. You might say someone "found a cure" for their boredom by taking up painting, meaning they found something that reliably takes that feeling away. Sometimes "cure" is used playfully, like saying a long nap is the only cure for a bad mood, suggesting it's a powerful, reliable remedy.
The word "cure" primarily refers to the complete restoration of health or the total removal of a disease, illness, or harmful condition. It implies a definitive solution that goes beyond simply alleviating symptoms. For example, researchers work tirelessly toward a cure for cancer, seeking a treatment that will permanently eradicate the ailment rather than just managing the pain.
However, "cure" isn't limited to medical contexts. It is frequently used to describe resolving troublesome systemic problems. A clever strategy might be called "a cure" for a company's financial losses, or a new policy could be presented as a "cure" for urban decay. This usage emphasizes finding a root-cause solution rather than a temporary fix.
Beyond medicine and everyday problem-solving, "cure" also has technical meanings. One is preservation: when we "cure" meat, fish, or leather, we treat them with salt, smoke, or chemicals to prevent decay and improve durability. Another is the idea of setting or hardening: paints, concrete, and resins can be said to "cure" as they dry and become stable. These senses align with the word's history; it comes from the Old French curer, meaning "to take care of." This origin highlights the idea that curing involves attentive, dedicated effort toward maintaining or restoring something to a stable, optimal state.
Interestingly, "cure" can be used ironically or humorously. Saying someone is "cured of their optimism" after a difficult day suggests they've been forced into a more cynical reality. Whether it's a medical breakthrough, a culinary technique, or a playful expression of relief, "cure" signifies a return to wholeness or the establishment of a lasting resolution that brings things back into balance.
Examples
- 1
Medical treatment
The doctors say the disease can be cured if it's caught early.
- 2
Disease solution
Scientists are still searching for a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
- Patterna cure for + illness
something that makes the illness go away
- 3
Partial treatment
The treatment helped her symptoms, but it didn't cure the problem completely.
- 4
Bad habits
Nothing seemed to cure him of biting his nails.
- Patterncure someone of + habit/problem
make someone stop it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Changed attitude
Moving out of the city cured me of wanting a bigger apartment.
- 6
Overpromising
Be careful with articles online that promise a quick cure-all.
- Phrasecure-all
something claimed to solve many different problems
- 7
Food preparation
The shop sells smoked cheese and cured meat.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- curenounverb
Forms
- curedpast tenseverbnoun
- curespluralnounverb
- curing-ing formverbnoun