Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having the property of curing or restoring to health: Describes something that helps to make a person or injury healthy again.
   • In the process of becoming whole or healthy: Describes a wound or condition that is mending.

2. Noun:

   • The process of making or becoming sound or healthy again: The natural bodily process of recovery from injury, illness, or emotional distress.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The doctor applied a healing salve to the burn.
  • After the argument, they shared a healing conversation.

• Noun:

  • The healing of the broken bone took six weeks.
  • Time is often the best agent for emotional healing.

Advanced Usage

• "In the healing process": Currently undergoing recovery.

  • She is still in the healing process and needs rest.

• "Possess healing properties": To have qualities that can cure or restore health.

  • Many plants are believed to possess healing properties.

Variants and Related Words

• Healer (n): A person or thing that heals.

  • The therapist was known as a great emotional healer.

• Heal (v): To become healthy again; to make someone or something healthy.

  • The cut will heal quickly if kept clean.

Synonyms

• Curative: Having the ability to cure disease.
• Therapeutic: Relating to the healing of disease; contributing to a sense of well-being.
• Restorative: Having the ability to restore health, strength, or a feeling of well-being.

Related Phrases

• Healing touch: A gentle, caring touch believed to promote physical or emotional healing.

  • The nurse's healing touch comforted the patient.

• Healing powers: The alleged or real ability to cure ailments.

  • The spring water was once famous for its healing powers.

Related Idioms

• Time is a great healer: Suggests that emotional pain lessens as time passes.

  • You will feel better eventually; remember, time is a great healer.

• To heal the rift: To repair a serious disagreement or division between people or groups.

  • The new agreement helped to heal the rift between the two companies.

Adjective

1. tending to cure or restore to health
   • curative powers of herbal remedies
   • her gentle healing hand
   • remedial surgery
   • a sanative environment of mountains and fresh air
   • a therapeutic agent
   • therapeutic diets

Noun

1. the natural process by which the body repairs itself