healer
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who helps people get better from an illness or injury, often using spiritual or natural methods.
a person who restores health, particularly one who uses faith, traditional knowledge, or alternative therapies rather than conventional medicine.
Simple“The villagers visited the local healer for a herbal tea to cure their coughs.”
In context“The documentary explores how the traditional healer uses a combination of rhythmic chanting and local flora to treat psychological distress in the community.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a medicine, treatment, or even time that helps a wound or illness go away.
a substance, remedy, or abstract concept that promotes the healing of a physical wound or emotional trauma.
Simple“They say that time is the best healer for a broken heart.”
In context“The ointment acted as a powerful healer, closing the deep cut on the soldier's arm within just a few days.”
From Middle English helere, the agent noun of heal; analysed as heal + -er. Cognate with Dutch heler (“healer”), German Heiler (“healer”), Icelandic heilari (“healer”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.