medicate

/ˈmedɪkeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmedɪkeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈme-di-ˌkāt/ (ame, mw)

medicate — verb

  • medicatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • medicateshe / she / it
  • medicatedpast simple
  • medicating-ing form

1. to give a person or animal a drug in order to treat an illness, injury, or behav

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to give a person or animal a drug in order to treat an illness, injury, or behavioural condition.

例句

The doctor medicated Wei for his high blood pressure with a daily pill.

medicate + someone + for + condition + with + substance

Children with severe nut allergies may need to be medicated before eating at restaurants.

passive: be medicated before + activity

同義詞
  • treat

    broader and more common; covers any medical care, not just giving drugs

  • dose

    more specific; focuses on giving a measured amount of a drug

  • prescribe

    only means to order a medicine, not to actually give it

反義詞

文法句型

medicate + someone

be medicated for + condition

medicate + someone + with + substance

用法筆記

Frequently used in passive constructions. The condition being treated is introduced by for, and the substance by with.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor medicated her with penicillin to cure the infection.
✅The doctor treated her infection with penicillin.
💡'medicate' means to administer medicine, not to cure; 'treat' is better when describing the overall medical care.

2. to put a medicinal substance into a product such as food, water, soap, or shampo

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to put a medicinal substance into a product such as food, water, soap, or shampoo so that it has a health benefit.

例句

The farmer medicates the chicken feed to prevent disease among the flock.

medicate + [product/feed] to prevent + condition

This soap is medicated with tea-tree oil for people with sensitive skin.

passive: is medicated with [substance]

同義詞
  • impregnate

    technical; means to saturate something with a substance, not limited to medicine

  • infuse

    suggests steeping or soaking; less clinical than 'medicate'

文法句型

medicate + something

be medicated with + substance

用法筆記

Almost always appears in passive form (is medicated / are medicated) when describing commercial products. The active form (to medicate something) is very rare in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌I medicate my face with this cream every night.
✅I apply medicated cream to my face every night.
💡'medicate' as a verb is not used to describe personal skincare routines; use 'medicated cream' as a noun phrase instead.