Healer: meaning, definitions and examples

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healer

[ˈhiː.lər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical

A healer is a person who has the ability to restore health or well-being, often through natural or alternative methods.

Synonyms

curer, mender, therapist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
healer	Healer is often used in a broad and sometimes spiritual sense to describe someone who helps others recover from physical, emotional, or spiritual ailments. It can refer to traditional or alternative medical practitioners. The village healer prepared a remedy for the sick child. She visited a spiritual healer to find peace.
therapist	Therapist is used to describe someone professionally trained to help people overcome mental, emotional, or physical issues. They typically have formal education and work in clinical settings. She decided to see a therapist to manage her anxiety. The physical therapist helped him recover from his injury.
curer	Curer is rarely used in modern English and may sound archaic. It generally describes someone who cures diseases or restores health, often in a practical or straightforward way. The medicine man was known as a curer of many ailments.
mender	Mender conveys the act of fixing or repairing something broken. It is not commonly used in the context of health but rather objects or situations. He worked as a mender, fixing broken tools. She saw him as a mender of broken relationships.

Examples of usage

He visited a healer to help with his chronic pain.
The healer used herbs and energy healing to treat the patient.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

spiritual

In spiritual contexts, a healer is someone who can provide emotional or spiritual support and guidance.

Synonyms

counselor, shaman, spiritual guide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
healer	Commonly used in contexts involving physical, emotional, or spiritual recovery, typically by someone with a holistic or alternative approach to medicine. She visited a healer to seek relief for her chronic pain. The healer used herbs and meditation techniques to help her find balance.
counselor	Appropriate when referring to a professional providing guidance, support, and advice, often in emotional, psychological, or career-related situations. He decided to see a counselor to talk about his stress at work. The school counselor helped her choose the right college.
spiritual guide	Used in contexts where someone provides spiritual direction and advice, often helping others on their spiritual journey or path. Her spiritual guide suggested daily meditation to deepen her practice. He found comfort and direction in the teachings of his spiritual guide.
shaman	Typically used in indigenous or historical contexts where a person is believed to interact with the spiritual world through rituals, often involving healing practices. The shaman performed a ceremony to heal the sick child. She sought the wisdom of the shaman to understand her dreams.

Examples of usage

She sought the advice of a healer to help her find inner peace.
The healer offered prayers and meditation techniques to the group.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

gaming

In gaming, a healer is a character who specializes in healing and supporting their team members during battles.

Synonyms

cleric, medic, support class.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
healer	Used generally to describe someone who helps others recover from injuries or illnesses. It can be used in real life or in fantasy settings. The healer used herbs to treat the wound The village healer is known for his remarkable skills
medic	Used to describe a trained medical professional, often in military or emergency settings. The medic arrived on the battlefield to assist the wounded soldiers The paramedic quickly administered first aid to the accident victims
support class	Used primarily in gaming to describe a character role that focuses on healing, buffing, or assisting teammates rather than dealing damage. I prefer to play a support class to help my team survive longer The game features various support classes with different abilities
cleric	Used to describe a religious figure who has healing abilities, often in a fantasy or role-playing game setting. The cleric prayed to his deity to heal the party In the game, my character is a cleric with powerful healing spells

Examples of usage

The healer kept the party alive during the boss fight.
The healer's role is crucial for the team's success.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'healer' comes from the Old English 'hælan,' meaning to make whole or to cure.
Similar terms in other languages, like 'cure' in French, derive from Latin roots that emphasize restoration.

Cultural Significance

Many cultures have traditional healers, like shamans or medicine men/women, who use rituals and natural remedies.
In ancient Egypt, healers were often priests and used magic alongside herbal knowledge to treat illnesses.

Psychology

The concept of healing can also refer to emotional recovery, where supportive relationships are essential in the healing process.
Studies show that emotional healing is linked to positive social interactions, making community support vital.

Literature

In many novels, the healer archetype represents hope and renewal, often guiding others through their struggles.
Famous literature often portrays healers with magical or mystical abilities, enhancing their connection to nature and humanity.

Modern Practices

In contemporary society, terms like 'healer' encompass various practices including holistic medicine, acupuncture, and mindfulness.
Wellness movements promote healing through meditation, yoga, and other stress-relief activities, highlighting a shift towards self-care.

Translations

Translations of the word "healer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 curandeiro

🇮🇳 चिकित्सक

🇩🇪 Heiler

🇮🇩 penyembuh

🇺🇦 цілитель

🇵🇱 uzdrowiciel

🇯🇵 ヒーラー

🇫🇷 guérisseur

🇪🇸 sanador

🇹🇷 şifacı

🇰🇷 치유자

🇸🇦 معالج

🇨🇿 léčitel

🇸🇰 liečiteľ

🇨🇳 治疗师

🇸🇮 zdravilec

🇮🇸 heilari

🇰🇿 емші

🇬🇪 მკურნალი

🇦🇿 şəfaverici

🇲🇽 sanador

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,310, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18307 artful
18308 bruise
18309 impeach
18310 healer
18311 undeniably
18312 banged
18313 snapshot
...