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Definition of preventive

preventive

/prɪˈvɛn.tɪv/
pre · ven · tive
Adverb:preventively
•
Plural:preventives
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preventive Lexical Profile

preventive Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Designed or serving to keep something undesirable, such as illness, harm, or failure, from occurring.

Example

"Regular dental checkups and daily flossing are essential parts of preventive healthcare."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A medicine, treatment, or measure used to stop a disease or undesirable condition from occurring.

Example

"During the nineteenth century, sailors consumed citrus juice as an effective preventive against scurvy."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for preventive
Antonyms
View all antonyms for preventive

Word Nuance & Usage

"Preventive" and "preventative" are completely interchangeable in meaning, though "preventive" is the older, shorter form preferred by most formal style guides and medical publications.

• Rhymes for preventive

• Nearby Words

preventably
preventatively
prevention
preventive
preventively
preview
previewer

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 17th century from "prevent" + "-ive", ultimately from the Latin "praevenire" meaning "to come before" or "anticipate".

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Preventive. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/preventive
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