verb

curar

cure · treat

Hacer que una persona o animal deje de estar enfermo o herido.

Definition & meaning

The word curar primarily means to restore health or to treat a disease, wound, or injury. It is used to describe the action of applying remedies, medicine, or care to a person or animal until they recover. In a reflexive form, curarse , it refers to the process of a person getting better or their wounds closing.

A second common meaning relates to food preservation and materials. In this context, it means to prepare or treat food—such as meat, fish, or cheese—using techniques like salting, smoking, or drying to preserve it for a long time. It can also apply to treating materials like wood or leather to make them more durable or suitable for use.

Grammar & Word origin

Curar is a regular verb in Spanish belonging to the first conjugation (ending in -ar). It is derived from the Latin verb curare, which means "to take care of," "to attend to," or "to worry about." This Latin root is also found in English words like "curator" or "cure." The transition from "taking care of" to "healing" reflects the historical idea that dedicated care leads to recovery.