medicine
gb/mˈɛdɪsən/ us/mˈɛdɪsən/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Drug or remedy for illness
Something you take to make you better when you are sick or to stop you from getting sick.
Usage pattern:
to take [medicine] for [illness]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'medicine' with 'medication'. 'Medicine' is often used in everyday speech, while 'medication' is more formal or technical.
Synonyms
drug (A general term for any chemical substance affecting the body; 'medicine' usually refers to therapeutic use.)
|
remedy (Often used for a treatment that cures or relieves symptoms, sometimes including non-drug solutions.)
Antonyms
poison (A substance that harms or kills rather than heals.)
Collocations
take medicine
|prescribe medicine
|over-the-counter medicine
|traditional medicine
|liquid medicine
Themes
health
|science
|daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- The doctor prescribed some medicine for my cough.
- You should always read the label before taking any medicine.
- She carries her asthma medicine everywhere she goes.
- This herbal medicine has been used for centuries.
- He forgot to take his medicine this morning.
Learner examples
- I take medicine when I am sick.
- This medicine helps my stomach feel better.
- She needs her medicine every day.
- The doctor gave me medicine for my cold.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Science of treating disease
The study and work of doctors to understand and treat sickness.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'medicine' (the science) with 'a medicine' (a drug). Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Synonyms
healthcare (A broader term including medical services, public health, and prevention.)
|
medical science (A more formal term focusing on the scientific aspect of medicine.)
Antonyms
quackery (Dishonest or unscientific medical practices.)
Collocations
study medicine
|practice medicine
|modern medicine
|field of medicine
Themes
health
|science
|education
Examples
- She decided to study medicine at university.
- Advances in medicine have increased life expectancy.
- Traditional medicine is still widely practiced in some regions.
- Medicine has made great progress in the last century.
- He has been practicing medicine for over 20 years.
Learner examples
- He wants to study medicine.
- Medicine can help people live longer.
- She works in medicine.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Solution for a bad situation
Something done to fix a bad problem or situation.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is figurative and try to interpret it literally as a drug.
Synonyms
solution (A general term for something that fixes a problem; 'medicine' here is metaphorical.)
Antonyms
cause (Something that makes the problem worse instead of better.)
Collocations
bitter medicine
|the best medicine
Themes
metaphor
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Laughter is the best medicine.
- The new policy is just the medicine our economy needs.
- Sometimes tough love is the only medicine that works.
Learner examples
- They say laughter is the best medicine.
- The new rule is good medicine for the team.
- This plan is the right medicine for our problem.
Grammar
Dictionary form
medicine
IPA
GB/mˈɛdɪsən/
US/mˈɛdɪsən/
Syllables & stress
medi - cine (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (medi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: medicine
- Plural: medicine, medicines
Word family
Forms
medicines
noun
Core family
Related words
medicate
verb
medicinal
adjective
medic
noun
Negative and opposite forms
nonmedical
adjective
unmedicated
adjective
Advanced or less common
medicalize
verb
medicalization
noun
Expressions
modern medicine
1/mˈɑdɚn mˈɛdɪsən/
fixed phrase
Contemporary medical methods and treatments
Medical science and treatments used today, not old ones from the past.
Examples
- Modern medicine has made many diseases curable.
- Thanks to modern medicine, people are living longer than ever.
practice medicine
1/pɹˈæktɪs mˈɛdɪsən/
fixed phrase
Work as a doctor
To work as a doctor and treat sick people.
Examples
- She has been licensed to practice medicine in three states.
- He practiced medicine for over 30 years before retiring.
take your medicine
1/tˈeɪk jˈʊɹ mˈɛdɪsən/
idiom
Accept punishment or consequences
To accept something bad that happens to you because of what you did, without complaining.
Examples
- He knew he was wrong, so he took his medicine and apologized.
- It's time for you to take your medicine and face the truth.
the best medicine
1/ðə bˈɛst mˈɛdɪsən/
idiom
Most effective remedy
The thing that helps most in a bad situation, often used about laughter helping someone feel better.
Examples
- They say laughter is the best medicine.
- A good night's sleep is sometimes the best medicine.
traditional medicine
1/tɹədˈɪʃənəl mˈɛdɪsən/
fixed phrase
Cultural non-modern medical practices
Ways of healing people that come from old customs and are not based on modern science.
Examples
- Many people still use traditional medicine alongside modern treatments.
- Traditional medicine includes herbal remedies and acupuncture.