to restore or be restored to health - (intr; often followed by over or up)
(of a wound, burn, etc) to repair by natural processes, as by scar formation - (transitive)
to cure (a disease or disorder) to restore or be restored to friendly relations, harmony, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
heal /hil/USA pronunciation
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Medicineto (cause to) become healthy or well again: [~ + object]This medicine should heal that sore on your leg.[no object]When will my leg heal?
- to repair or take care of;
settle:[~ + object]Only time will heal my broken heart.
heal•ing
(hē′ling),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
heal′ing•ly, adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- curing or curative;
prescribed or helping to heal. - growing sound;
getting well;
mending.
n.
- the act or process of regaining health:a new drug to accelerate healing.
- Middle English heelyng (adjective, adjectival), helynge (noun, nominal), Old English hǣlinge (noun, nominal). See heal, -ing2, -ing1 bef. 1000
heal
(hēl),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
heal′a•ble, adj.
- Medicineto make healthy, whole, or sound;
restore to health;
free from ailment. - to bring to an end or conclusion, as conflicts between people or groups, usually with the strong implication of restoring former amity;
settle;
reconcile:They tried to heal the rift between them but were unsuccessful. - to free from evil;
cleanse;
purify:to heal the soul.
v.i.
- to effect a cure.
- Physiology(of a wound, broken bone, etc.) to become whole or sound;
mend;
get well (often fol. by up or over).
- Middle English helen, Old English hǣlan (cognate with Dutch helen, German heilen, Old Norse heila, Gothic hailjan), derivative of hāl hale1, whole bef. 900
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See cure.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged compose, soothe.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged purge, disinfect.
- 1, 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged irritate.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged soil, infect.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'healing process' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):