homeopathy

IPA/ˌhəʊmiˈɒpəθi/
KK[hˌomiopˈæθi]IPA/ˌhəʊmiˈɑːpəθi/

homeopathy — noun

1. If someone uses homeopathy, they are treated with extremely small, heavily dilut

1.nounB2
Definition

If someone uses homeopathy, they are treated with extremely small, heavily diluted doses of a natural substance that, in larger amounts, would cause the very symptoms the treatment is meant to fight.

Example

Hyun tried homeopathy for her migraines after regular medicines gave her no relief at all.

collocation: homeopathy + for [condition]

When conventional drugs did not help her eczema, Apinya's doctor suggested she try homeopathy at the dermatology clinic.

collocation: homeopathy at [clinic type]

Common collocations
  • homeopathy for [condition]
  • homeopathy remedies
  • practice homeopathy
  • try homeopathy
  • believe in homeopathy
Synonyms
  • natural medicine

    broader term that includes herbalism, acupuncture, and other non-drug approaches alongside homeopathy

  • alternative medicine

    umbrella term for any treatment outside mainstream Western medicine; homeopathy is one form of it

Antonyms
  • conventional medicine

    standard medical treatment based on scientific evidence and pharmaceutical drugs

  • allopathy

    technical term for mainstream medicine that treats symptoms with drugs that produce opposite effects

Usage Note

Often appears in phrases that contrast it with conventional medicine: 'homeopathy and standard treatment', 'homeopathy versus traditional medicine'.

Common Mistakes

The doctor prescribed homeopathy for my infection.
The doctor suggested I try homeopathy for my allergy symptoms.
Homeopathy is an approach, not a prescription drug; it is 'suggested' or 'recommended', not 'prescribed' in the standard medical sense.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Homeopathy is one specific system within alternative medicine, based on the 'like cures like' principle and extreme dilution. Alternative medicine is the broadest category — it covers anything outside mainstream Western practice, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and traditional Chinese medicine. Natural medicine is similarly broad but tends to emphasise plant-based and non-chemical remedies. Herbalism (also called herbal medicine) uses whole plants or plant extracts in measurable doses — it does not rely on dilution like homeopathy does. Naturopathy is a separate system that combines diet, lifestyle, and natural therapies; some naturopaths use homeopathic remedies, but the two fields are not the same. If you say 'I use alternative medicine', you could mean anything from yoga to acupuncture. If you say 'I use homeopathy', you mean this specific dilute approach.

alternative medicinenatural medicineherbalismnaturopathy

Common collocations

Nouns

  • homeopathy remedy
  • homeopathy practitioner
  • homeopathy treatment
  • homeopathy clinic
  • homeopathy patient

Phrases

  • system of homeopathy
  • belief in homeopathy
  • form of homeopathy

Prepositions

  • in homeopathy
  • of homeopathy

Etymology

GreekGermanEnglish

Coined from German Homöopathie by the German doctor Samuel Hahnemann around 1800. He built the word from ancient Greek roots: homoios (similar, same kind) and pathos (suffering, disease). The core idea — 'like cures like' — is built right into the name: a substance that causes suffering in large doses can heal the same kind of suffering when given in an extremely tiny dose.