antimalarial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Low-frequency / TechnicalMedical, Pharmaceutical, Public Health, Technical
Quick answer
What does “antimalarial” mean?
A substance (drug, treatment) used to prevent or treat malaria.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A substance (drug, treatment) used to prevent or treat malaria.
Relating to or being a substance used against malaria.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation follow general regional patterns (e.g., 'drug programme' vs. 'drug program' in broader context).
Connotations
Technical/medical term in both varieties. No notable connotative differences.
Frequency
Similar low frequency in specialised medical/public health contexts in both regions. Slightly higher exposure in the UK due to historical colonial ties and ongoing travel medicine focus.
Grammar
How to Use “antimalarial” in a Sentence
Antimalarial + [Noun] (e.g., antimalarial drug)The new [noun] is an antimalarial.Used as an antimalarial for [purpose].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antimalarial” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The doctor prescribed an antimalarial drug before her trip to Ghana.
- Antimalarial resistance is a growing global concern.
American English
- She took an antimalarial medication for her travels.
- The antimalarial program distributed mosquito nets and pills.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in pharmaceutical industry reports (e.g., 'The company is investing in antimalarial research').
Academic
Common in medical, pharmacological, and public health literature.
Everyday
Used primarily when discussing travel health or news about tropical diseases.
Technical
Standard term in medicine, parasitology, and pharmacology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antimalarial”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antimalarial”
- Spelling: 'antimaleria', 'anti-maleria'.
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'to antimalarial' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As an adjective: 'an antimalarial drug'. As a noun: 'She was prescribed an antimalarial'.
No. The need depends on the specific country, region within it, season, and your individual health. Always seek professional medical advice.
They are synonyms, but 'antimalarial' is the far more common and standard term in medical and general use.
Yes. Some antimalarials are used for prevention (prophylaxis), others for treatment, and some for both purposes.
A substance (drug, treatment) used to prevent or treat malaria.
Antimalarial is usually medical, pharmaceutical, public health, technical in register.
Antimalarial: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ti.məˈleə.ri.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ti.məˈler.i.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTI-MALARIA-L. It's literally 'against malaria'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A SHIELD/WARRIOR (e.g., 'The drug fights malaria').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of something described as 'antimalarial'?