Officinal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ə-ˈfi-sə-nᵊl/ of·fi·ci·nal

Meaning & Definition of Officinal

Officinal (adjective)

  1. medicinal

Officinal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. tending to cure disease or restore health

    "the discovery of officinal plants that continues to this day"

    similar: curative, healing, medicinal, remedial, restorative, therapeutic
    related: healthful, healthy, salubrious, salutary, sanative, wholesome, alleviative, corrective, tonic
    near: insalubrious, noisome, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome, deleterious, injurious, pernicious, infectious, poisonous, toxic, adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, detrimental, harmful, hurtful, ill, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Officinal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Officinal:

curative, healing, medicinal, remedial, restorative, therapeutic

Related Words for Officinal

healthful, healthy, salubrious, salutary, sanative, wholesome, alleviative, corrective, tonic

Near Antonyms of Officinal

insalubrious, noisome, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome, deleterious, injurious, pernicious, infectious, poisonous, toxic, adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, detrimental, harmful, hurtful, ill, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary

Origin & Etymology of Officinal

borrowed from New Latin officīnālis "used as a medicine (of plants)," from officīna "apothecary's shop" (going back to Latin, "workshop," contraction of opificīna, from opific-, opifex "craftsman, artificer" —from opi-, base of opis, *ops "power, ability" and oper-, opus "work, effort" + -fic-, -fex, derivative of facere "to make, do, bring about"— + -īna, suffix of place) + Latin -ālis -al:1 opus, do:1

First known use: 1769

Frequently Asked Questions about Officinal

What does "Officinal" mean?

"Officinal" means medicinal. As an adjective, it is defined as: medicinal.

What is another word for "Officinal"?

Other words for "Officinal" include curative, healing, medicinal, remedial, restorative and therapeutic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Officinal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Officinal"?

There are 15 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Officinal". Common alternatives include curative, healing, medicinal, remedial, restorative and therapeutic.

How do you use "Officinal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Officinal" in a sentence: "the discovery of officinal plants that continues to this day".

Is "Officinal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Officinal" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Officinal"?

"Officinal" is pronounced /ə-ˈfi-sə-nᵊl/ and divided into syllables as of·fi·ci·nal.

What is the origin of the word "Officinal"?

"Officinal" comes from borrowed from New Latin officīnālis "used as a medicine (of plants)," from officīna "apothecary's shop" (going back to Latin, "workshop," contraction of opificīna, from opific-, opifex "craftsman, artificer" —from opi-, base of opis, *ops "power, ability" and oper-, opus "work, effort" + -fic-, -fex, derivative of facere "to make, do, bring about"— + -īna, suffix of place) + Latin -ālis -al:1 opus, do:1. First known use: 1769.

What is another word for "Officinal" meaning "tending to cure disease or restore health"?

When "Officinal" (adjective) means tending to cure disease or restore health, synonyms include curative, healing, medicinal, remedial, restorative and therapeutic.