Definition

A substance that can stop or reduce the harmful effects of a poison or disease.

Example

The doctor gave her an antidote after she was bitten by a snake.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new antidote for the snakebite?

Yeah, I read that it works really fast to neutralize the poison.

That's so interesting! I wonder how they discovered it.

Me too! It's amazing what science can do these days.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Antidote is formed from "anti-" (meaning against) and "dote" (from Greek "dotos", meaning given). The word refers to a substance that is given against a poison or disease, counteracting its effects.

Memory Tip

Think of something that works 'against' ('anti-') a harmful substance that is 'given' ('dote') to you — that's what an antidote does.

Visually Confused Words