preventative
preventative — adjective
1. meant to keep a problem, illness, or accident from happening in the first place
meant to keep a problem, illness, or accident from happening in the first place — for example, taking medicine before you catch a cold, or checking equipment before it breaks down
Felix's dentist told him that regular check-ups are an important form of preventative care.
attributive: preventative care
The company spent money on preventative maintenance for all its factory machines last year.
collocation: preventative maintenance
Ravindra drinks green tea as a preventative habit to keep his heart healthy.
Simple preventative steps like washing your hands can stop many common infections from spreading.
- preventive
interchangeable in meaning; shorter form, slightly more common in medical writing
- precautionary
emphasises actions taken beforehand to avoid danger, rather than general prevention
- protective
suggests shielding against harm, not necessarily stopping something before it starts
文法句型
preventative + noun (measure, care, medicine, maintenance)
be + preventative
用法筆記
This word is interchangeable with 'preventive', which has the same meaning. 'Preventive' appears slightly more often in formal medical writing, while 'preventative' is more frequent in everyday speech and general writing. Both are standard and neither is wrong.
常見錯誤
preventative — noun
1. a substance, medicine, or action used to stop an illness or other unwanted condi
a substance, medicine, or action used to stop an illness or other unwanted condition from starting or getting worse
Christopher takes vitamin D capsules as a preventative against winter colds.
pattern: preventative against + [disease]
The mosquito nets from the aid workers became the main preventative against malaria.
pattern: preventative for + [disease]
Élise uses sunscreen every morning as a preventative for sun damage to her skin.
Doctors agree that a balanced diet is the best preventative against long-term health problems.
- preventive
interchangeable noun form, slightly more common in medical texts
- precaution
a step taken in advance to avoid risk; broader than the health-focused noun sense
- safeguard
a measure that protects against possible harm or loss; more formal and general
文法句型
a/one preventative + against + [disease/problem]
a/one preventative + for + [disease/problem]
serve as a preventative
use something as a preventative
用法筆記
The noun 'preventative' is less common than the adjective. In many contexts, speakers prefer the phrase 'preventative measure' or simply 'prevention' (e.g., 'the prevention of disease' rather than 'a preventative against disease'). The noun form is most natural in medical or health-related contexts when referring to a specific substance or treatment.