# salve

/ˈsɑv/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/salve
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a thick, oily substance used to heal wounds or soothe pain. In the past, it was also used to describe a way to fix a problem or make a situation better.

For teachers: a medicinal preparation of an oily or greasy consistency, applied to the skin to heal wounds or relieve pain. Historically, it also served as a metaphor for a remedy or solution to a problem.

## Examples

- The doctor applied a thick salve to the burn.
- After the long hike, he rubbed a healing salve into his blistered feet to reduce the swelling.
- The poet described the night sky as a salve for his weary soul, providing a sense of peace that the noisy city streets could never offer.

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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.