cure

cureverb

To cure is to deal with something bad, such as an illness, a problem, or a habit, so that it ends, or to treat food so that it stays good for a long time.

1. illnessmake a sick person healthy again, or make an illness go away

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • This medicine won't cure a cold, but it will help you feel better. V + obj
   • Most people with this infection are cured within a week. V + obj (passive)
   • The doctors cured her of a rare disease. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun cure a disease, cure an illness, cure a patient

   adverb + verb completely cure, fully cured

   verb + preposition cure someone of something

   Compare heal; treat

2. problemend a problem or a bad situation

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • Building more roads won't cure the traffic problem. V + obj
   • A good night's sleep cured my bad mood. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun cure a problem, cure unemployment

   Synonyms solve; fix

3. habitmake someone stop a bad habit or stop having a fear that is not reasonable

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • The accident cured him of driving too fast. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Nothing could cure her of her fear of dogs. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition cure someone of a habit, cure someone of a fear

4. foodkeep meat or fish from going bad by drying it, smoking it, or adding salt

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] food

   • The ham is cured for several months before it is sold. V + obj (passive)
   • In the past, people cured fish with salt to keep it through the winter. V + obj

   Collocations

   adjective + noun cured meat, cured ham, salt-cured fish