medicines

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'medicines' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'medicines' when referring to drugs or treatments that are used to improve health or relieve pain. Example sentence: I keep a well-stocked supply of medicines in my first aid kit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One example is the Advanced Market Commitment tool, where donors pledge to purchase developing country disease-focused vaccines or medicines, giving companies a commercial buyer and thus a reason to risk their R&D investment and product development.

The Guardian

The journals that contain them are school exercise books decorated with a collage of old product labels, cocktail recipes and advertisements for patent medicines.

The Guardian - Books

However, herbal practitioners don't need a licence to supply medicines that they create on their own premises following one-to-one consultations, as long as they don't contain banned substances.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So, on the plus side, over-the-counter herbal medicines in the UK are now safe and available in a fixed dose.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Herbal medicines are used by about a quarter of adults in the UK, the market is worth at least £485m, and they have a powerful advocate in Prince Charles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The WHO's essential medicines committee has rejected an application from Novartis to have the expensive licensed drug Lucentis added to the list of drugs all countries should stock (PDF).

The Guardian

Even herbal medicines and herbal supplements used wrongly can kill".

The Guardian

The local commissioner, John Tap Puot, said government intimidation against journalists and civilians was ongoing and there weren't enough medicines, doctors and water available.

The Guardian

Now, because we have to meet targets, wards are discharging patients more efficiently, medicines are being dispensed more quickly, transport is being arranged faster - it's all nitty-gritty stuff but it all helps when people work together to solve a problem.

The Guardian

Its own leader makes that clear: "The importance of these papers is not whether they reveal the prince's controversial (or not) views on the European Union directive on herbal medicines.

The Guardian

After promising to look into an NHS trial in England of the prince's favoured complementary medicines, the current hot contender for Labour leadership gushed, as per Debrett's advice: "I have the honour to remain, Sir, your Royal Highness's most humble and obedient servant".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about traditional treatments, clearly distinguish between "medicines" and other practices like herbal remedies or alternative therapies to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "medicines" interchangeably with "cures". "Medicines" refers to substances used to treat or prevent illness, while "cures" implies complete elimination of the disease. Not all medicines provide a complete cure.

Linguistic Context

The word "medicines" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring to multiple drugs or preparations used for medical treatment. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "medicines" is a very common and grammatically correct plural noun referring to drugs or preparations used for medical treatment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, primarily appearing in news, business, and scientific domains. While often used interchangeably with "medications", "medicines" holds a neutral register suitable for both general and professional communication. When writing, avoid confusing it with "cures", as not all medicines provide a complete cure. Alternative phrases like "medications", "pharmaceuticals", or "remedies" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

medications

A synonym for "medicines", often used interchangeably.

medication

Singular form of "medicines" that focus on the action of medicating.

pharmaceuticals

Refers specifically to manufactured drugs.

drugs

A broader term, encompassing both medicinal and recreational substances.

remedies

Suggests a cure or treatment, often for minor ailments.

cures

Implies a complete elimination of a disease or condition.

therapeutic agents

A formal term emphasizing the healing properties.

pharmaceutical preparations

Another, more verbose, way to refer to manufactured drugs.

prescription drugs

Medicines that require a doctor's authorization.

over-the-counter drugs

Medicines available without a prescription.

FAQs

What is the difference between "medicines" and "medications"?

While often used interchangeably, "medicines" is a more general term, and "medications" tends to be more formal, referring specifically to prescribed or administered drugs. In most contexts, they are considered synonymous.

What are some other words I can use instead of "medicines"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "medications", "pharmaceuticals", "drugs", or "remedies".

Is it correct to use "medicines" in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "medicines" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal or scientific contexts, you might prefer "pharmaceutical preparations" or "therapeutic agents".

How can I ensure I'm using "medicines" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence clearly indicates that "medicines" are being used for treatment, prevention, or symptom relief of an illness or condition. For example, "The doctor prescribed medicines to treat the infection."