plural cures
1
: something (such as a drug or medical treatment) that stops a disease and makes someone healthy again
The disease has no cure. [=the disease cannot be cured; the disease is incurable]
—often + forThere is no cure for the common cold.
The drug was sold as a cure for a variety of ailments.
2
: something that ends a problem or improves a bad situation : solution
This is a problem that has no easy cure.
—often + forThe highway construction program was presented as a cure for unemployment.
Exercise is a good cure for stress.
3
: the act of making someone healthy again after an illness
The doctors were unable to effect a cure because the disease had spread too far.
cures; cured; curing
1
a
: to make (someone) healthy again after an illness
Her doctors have pronounced her cured. [=have said that she is no longer ill]
—often + ofA team of doctors cured him of a rare blood disease.
b
: to stop (a disease) by using drugs or other medical treatments
Doctors cured his disease.
The infection can be cured with antibiotics.
2
: to provide a solution for (something)
Drinking won't cure [=solve] any of your problems.
3
: to cause (someone) to stop having a harmful habit, wrong idea, etc. : to make (someone) free of something
She was cured of any illusions she had about college after her first semester.
My wife cured me of most of my bad habits.
4
: to change something through a chemical or physical process so that it can be preserved for a long time
cure bacon/meat
The fish was cured with salt.
olives cured in brine
The hay is curing in the sun.
5
: to dry and become hard
It takes several days for concrete to cure. [=harden, set]
Cite this Entry
“Cure.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cure. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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