pharmaceutical
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˌfɑːr.məˈsuː.tɪ.kəl/
KK: /fɑrˈmæsəˌtɪkəl/
adjective
Definition
Related to the preparation, sale, or use of medicines and drugs.
Example
The pharmaceutical industry plays a crucial role in developing new medications.
Conversation
I just read about the latest pharmaceutical developments in healthcare.
Really? What did you find interesting?
There are some new pharmaceutical products that could help with chronic pain.
That sounds promising! I hope they become available soon.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
medicinal
therapeutic
curative
Antonyms
toxic
harmful
detrimental
noun
Definition
A product or substance used to treat or prevent diseases, often in the form of a drug.
Example
The pharmaceutical industry is constantly developing new medications to improve health.
Conversation
Have you ever thought about how much we rely on pharmaceutical companies?
Definitely! They play such a huge role in our health.
It's crazy to think about all the different pharmaceutical products available.
Root Explanation
Pharmaceutical → It is formed from "pharmakon" (meaning drug or medicine) and the suffix "-eutic" (from Greek "eutikos", meaning effective or relating to). The word refers to something that is related to or effective in the use of drugs or medicine.
Memory Tip
Think of 'pharmakon' as relating to 'drugs' or 'medicine' — that's why 'pharmaceutical' means something that is effective in the use of drugs.
Visually Confused Words
nonpharmaceutical
paracentrical
chemicopharmaceutical