homeopathic

IPA/ˌhəʊmiəˈpæθɪk/
KK[hˌomiopˈæθək]IPA/ˌhəʊmiəˈpæθɪk/

homeopathic — adjective

  • homeopathicpositive
  • more homeopathiccomparative
  • most homeopathicsuperlative

1. describes a medical approach where an illness is treated with tiny quantities of

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a medical approach where an illness is treated with tiny quantities of a natural substance — amounts so small that the same substance would normally cause the illness if taken in larger doses.

Example

After months of headaches, Nila tried a homeopathic remedy recommended by a friend.

homeopathic remedy as a treatment option

The pharmacist explained that homeopathic pills contain only tiny amounts of active ingredients.

homeopathic pills + collocation: active ingredients

Common collocations
  • homeopathic remedy
  • homeopathic treatment
  • homeopathic medicine
  • homeopathic clinic
  • homeopathic doctor
  • homeopathic dose
  • homeopathic pills
  • homeopathic pharmacy
Synonyms
  • alternative

    broader term covering any medical practice outside conventional Western medicine; not limited to dilution-based treatments

  • naturopathic

    refers to a related but distinct system of natural medicine that emphasises the body's self-healing ability, not specifically dilution

  • holistic

    focuses on treating the whole person (mind, body, lifestyle) rather than symptoms alone; overlaps in philosophy but differs in method

Antonyms
  • conventional

    refers to standard medical treatment based on scientific research and tested doses of active substances

  • allopathic

    technical term for mainstream medicine that treats symptoms with substances producing opposite effects

Grammar Patterns

homeopathic + noun

Usage Note

This adjective most often appears before nouns such as remedy, treatment, medicine, clinic, or doctor. The core principle of homeopathy is often summarised as 'treating like with like' — a substance that causes symptoms in large doses is believed to cure those same symptoms in extremely diluted form.

Common Mistakes

She bought herbal medicines from the homeopathic pharmacy.
She bought herbal medicines from the health food store.
homeopathic refers to a specific dilution-based method, not all natural or plant-based medicine.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four terms describe approaches that fall outside conventional Western medicine, but they differ in scope and method. Homeopathic is the most specific: it refers exclusively to the dilution-based system founded by Samuel Hahnemann, where 'like cures like.' Alternative is the broadest umbrella term, covering everything from acupuncture to herbalism to homeopathy itself. Naturopathic describes a philosophy that supports the body's natural healing ability through diet, lifestyle, and natural therapies — it may include homeopathy as one tool, but is not limited to it. Holistic emphasises treating the whole person rather than isolated symptoms, a principle shared by many alternative practices. For example, a patient might visit a homeopathic clinic for a specific dilution remedy, an alternative medicine centre for a range of non-standard treatments, or a holistic nutritionist for dietary advice that addresses overall well-being.

homeopathic ↗alternative ↗naturopathic ↗holistic ↗

Etymology

GreekGermanEnglish

Coined in German as 'homöopathisch' by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the early 1800s. He combined the Greek roots 'homoios' (similar) and 'pathos' (suffering or disease) to name his new medical system — reflecting the central principle that a substance which causes symptoms in a healthy person can, in extremely small doses, cure those same symptoms in a sick person.