palliative

Everyday

1. (medicine) Palliative care is care that keeps a very ill person comfortable and free from pain when their illness cannot be cured. tree →
2. (formal) Palliative means making a problem feel less bad for now without fixing its cause. tree →
3. (noun, formal) A palliative is something that eases pain or a problem for a while. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life children may hear the word when a grandparent is very ill and goes into palliative care or a hospice; it tells the reader that doctors are now caring for comfort, not cure. In the formal exam voice it describes a quick fix that hides a problem. Phrases: palliative care, a palliative care nurse, only a palliative.

Examples

• Grandad is now in palliative care at the hospice. tree →
• The palliative care nurses made sure Nan was not in pain. tree →
• Palliative care helps people stay comfortable and calm. tree →
• The family could visit every day during his palliative care. tree →
• (formal) Painting over the crack was only a palliative measure. tree →
• (formal) Extra homework club is a palliative, not a cure, for the reading problem. tree →
• A palliative doctor talks gently with the patient and the family. tree →

Note

Say PAL-ee-uh-tiv. Mostly used as an adjective before a noun (palliative care, palliative treatment). Palliative care does not mean doctors have stopped caring; it means the care is about comfort, dignity and family time. A sensitive word: use it kindly.