What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
medicine
Example
The doctor prescribed some medicine to help with my headache. [medicine: noun]
Example
She studied medicine in college and is now a practicing physician. [medicine: field of study]
Example
Herbal medicine has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. [medicine: remedy]
cure
Example
The new drug was able to cure the patient's cancer. [cure: verb]
Example
After months of treatment, she was finally cured of her illness. [cured: past participle]
Example
The cure for loneliness is often finding meaningful connections with others. [cure: solution]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Medicine is more commonly used than cure in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can be used for both short-term and long-term treatments. Cure is more specific and less common, as it implies a successful resolution of a problem or ailment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between medicine and cure?
Medicine is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, as it involves the field of healthcare and requires knowledge and expertise. Cure is less formal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as it refers to a solution or remedy to a problem or difficulty.
