homeopathy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Medical/Alternative Medicine
Quick answer
What does “homeopathy” mean?
A system of alternative medicine based on treating like with like, using highly diluted substances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A system of alternative medicine based on treating like with like, using highly diluted substances.
A therapeutic method where substances that cause symptoms in a healthy person are used in extreme dilution to treat similar symptoms in a sick person. By extension, the term can be used metaphorically to describe any approach involving minute or negligible quantities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'homeopathy' is standard in both UK and US English, though the older variant 'homoeopathy' is occasionally seen in UK contexts. Pronunciation differs (see IPA).
Connotations
In both regions, it carries connotations of being an alternative or complementary approach, often sparking debate between proponents and scientific skeptics. In the UK, it has a somewhat more established presence within parts of the National Health Service (NHS).
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK discourse due to its historical presence and NHS debates. In the US, it is more firmly within the 'alternative medicine' category.
Grammar
How to Use “homeopathy” in a Sentence
[Patient] sought treatment through homeopathy.[Practitioner] practices homeopathy.There is [little/some/much] debate about homeopathy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homeopathy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The GP does not homeopathise, but she respects her patient's choice to seek homeopathic treatment.
American English
- Very rare as a verb. 'To practice homeopathy' is the standard phrasing.
adverb
British English
- The substance is prepared homeopathically through serial dilution and succussion.
American English
- He treats his allergies homeopathically, though his doctor is skeptical.
adjective
British English
- She consulted a homeopathic practitioner about her chronic fatigue.
American English
- The pharmacy carries a small selection of homeopathic cold remedies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of selling alternative health products or running a clinic.
Academic
Common in medical anthropology, sociology of medicine, history of science, and critical studies of pseudoscience.
Everyday
Used in discussions about health choices, alternative treatments, and debates about medical efficacy.
Technical
Specific to the field of alternative and complementary medicine, with precise terminology (potentization, succussion, materia medica).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homeopathy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homeopathy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homeopathy”
- Misspelling: 'homoeopathy' (UK variant) is acceptable but less common than 'homeopathy'. 'Homeopathic' is the adjective; using 'homeopathy' as an adjective (e.g., 'a homeopathy remedy') is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While homeopathy may use plant-derived substances, it is defined by its principle of 'like cures like' and its process of extreme dilution (potentization). Herbal medicine uses measurable doses of plant material without this specific principle.
The overwhelming scientific consensus, based on systematic reviews of clinical trials, is that homeopathy's effects are no greater than those of a placebo for any specific medical condition.
In British English, it is typically pronounced /ˌhəʊ.miˈɒp.ə.θi/ (ho-mee-OP-uh-thee), with the stress on the third syllable.
Metaphorically, a 'homeopathic dose' refers to an amount so small as to be negligible or ineffective, often used critically. Example: 'The government offered a homeopathic dose of funding relative to the scale of the crisis.'
A system of alternative medicine based on treating like with like, using highly diluted substances.
Homeopathy is usually formal, medical/alternative medicine in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's like homeopathy for the budget—a tiny drop of funding in a vast sea of need.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HOMEo (similar) + PATHY (suffering). It treats suffering with something that causes a similar, 'home'-like suffering in healthy people.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A MIRROR (treating like with like). DILUTION IS POTENCY (the weaker the substance, the stronger the effect).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key criticism of homeopathy from a scientific perspective?