# curative

/ˈkjʊɹətɪv/ (US) · /kjˈʊɹətˌɪv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/curative
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

able to cure an illness or fix a health problem. You use it for treatments that can make you fully better, not just ease pain.

For teachers: capable of curing disease or restoring health, as opposed to merely relieving symptoms. Often collocates with treatment, therapy, surgery, and care.

## Examples

- This new drug has a strong curative effect.
- The doctors chose curative surgery to remove the tumor instead of only treating the pain.
- While palliative care focuses on comfort, curative treatment aims to eliminate the underlying disease and restore long-term health.

## Synonyms

healing, medicinal

## Pitfalls

- Not "a curative disease" but "a curable disease" — Curative describes the treatment that cures; curable describes the disease that can be cured.

## Usage notes

- Typically attributive, placed before nouns such as treatment, therapy, surgery, or care.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.