Overview of noun preventive

The noun preventive has 3 senses

• preventive, preventative, prophylactic -- (remedy that prevents or slows the course of an illness or disease; "the doctor recommended several preventatives")


• hindrance, hinderance, hitch, preventive, preventative, encumbrance, incumbrance, interference -- (any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome)


• contraceptive, preventive, preventative, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, birth control device -- (an agent or device intended to prevent conception)

Overview of adj preventive

The adj preventive has 2 senses

• preventive, preventative, prophylactic -- (preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease; "preventive medicine"; "vaccines are prophylactic"; "a prophylactic drug")


• preventive, preventative -- (tending to prevent or hinder)