# preventive

/pɹiˈvɛnɪv/ (US) · /pɹɪvˈɛntɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preventive
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. stopping a problem

adjective · CEFR B2

intended to stop something bad from happening.

For teachers: intended to forestall or inhibit the occurrence of an undesirable event or condition.

- The company took preventive measures to make sure the machines didn't break down.
- The security team implemented preventive protocols to mitigate the risk of a data breach before any vulnerabilities could be exploited.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'preventive measures' or 'preventive action'.

### 2. medical protection

adjective · CEFR B2

used to stop an illness or health problem before it begins.

For teachers: relating to the inhibition of disease or the slowing of its development; synonymous with prophylactic.

- Regular exercise and a healthy diet are important for preventive medicine.
- The clinic focuses on preventive healthcare, offering screenings that detect potential issues while they are still manageable.

Teaching tip: Learners may see 'preventative' used in the same way; both are correct, though 'preventive' is often preferred in technical and medical writing.

### 3. a protective measure

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

something that you do or take to stop a problem.

For teachers: a measure, drug, or device used to prevent an undesirable event or disease.

- The doctor suggested a daily vitamin as a preventive against the flu.
- While the new law is a useful preventive, it does not address the root causes of the social unrest.

Usage: Usually functions as a countable noun.

## Examples

- Regular exercise is a great preventive measure for many health problems.
- The company implemented new preventive maintenance schedules to avoid expensive equipment failures during the busy season.
- Public health officials argue that investing in preventive care today will significantly reduce the long-term financial burden on the national healthcare system over the next decade.

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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.