Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease: Describes something, especially a medicine or measure, that is intended to prevent disease.
   • Capable of preventing conception or impregnation: Describes a device or substance used to prevent pregnancy.

2. Noun:

   • A remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease: A medicine or treatment used to prevent disease.
   • A contraceptive device, especially a condom: A sheath, typically of thin rubber or latex, worn over the penis during intercourse to prevent pregnancy or disease transmission.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The doctor prescribed a prophylactic antibiotic before the surgery.
  • Vaccination is a key prophylactic measure against many infectious diseases.

• Noun:

  • Quinine was used as a malaria prophylactic.
  • He bought prophylactics from the pharmacy.

Advanced Usage

• Prophylactic use/measure/treatment: Refers to the preventive application of a medicine or strategy.
  • Prophylactic use of aspirin can help prevent heart attacks in some patients.
• Prophylactic surgery: A surgical procedure performed to reduce the risk of developing a disease.
  • She opted for prophylactic mastectomy due to a strong family history of breast cancer.

Variants and Related Words

• Prophylaxis (n): The action of preventing disease.
  • Dental prophylaxis involves cleaning teeth to prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Prophylactically (adv): In a preventive manner.
  • The drug was administered prophylactically to the travelers.

Synonyms

• Preventive (adj/n): Serving to prevent.
• Precautionary (adj): Carried out as a precaution.
• Contraceptive (adj/n): Preventing conception.
• Condom (n): A specific type of prophylactic device.

Related Phrases

• Prophylactic against: Used to indicate what is being prevented.
  • This vaccine is a prophylactic against hepatitis B.

Adjective

1. preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
   • preventive medicine
   • vaccines are prophylactic
   • a prophylactic drug
2. warding off
   • the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples- Victor Schultze
3. capable of preventing conception or impregnation
   • contraceptive devices and medications

Noun

1. contraceptive device consisting of a sheath of thin rubber or latex that is worn over the penis during intercourse
2. remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease
   • the doctor recommended several preventatives