salve

1 of 3

noun

ˈsav  ˈsäv  ˈsalv  ˈsälv 

1

: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores

2

: a remedial or soothing influence or agency

a salve to their hurt feelings

salve

2 of 3

verb (1)

salved; salving

transitive verb

1

: to remedy (something, such as disease) with or as if with a salve

2

: quiet, assuage

… give him a raise in salary to salve his feelings.

—Upton Sinclair

salve

3 of 3

verb (2)

ˈsalv 

salved; salving

transitive verb

: salvage

salvor

ˈsal-vər 

-ˌvȯr

noun

Synonyms of salve

Verb (1)

• soothe
• calm
• compose
• lull

Examples of salve in a Sentence

Verb (1)

attempting to salve her conscience, she anonymously sent the store a sum of cash sufficient to cover the merchandise she had shoplifted

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bolstered with titanium dioxide for sun protection, the budget-friendly salve also contains glycerin, which contributes to a dewy skin look. — Jenny Berg, Glamour, 25 June 2026

Amazon’s generous selection of early Prime Day deals, which serve as both a salve for the wait and a reason to get even more excited for the main event. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 22 June 2026

Verb

The presence of Eisenhower's secretary Kay Summersby (Kerry Condon) is used as a dramatic foil a little too often, notably as a means to salve seemingly irreconcilable clashes between the personalities of her impatient and demonstrative boss and Stagg's soft-spoken yet obstinate martinet. — Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026

Had the German editor bought the rights to salve his own conscience? — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sealf; akin to Old High German salba salve, Greek olpē oil flask

Verb (2)

back-formation from salvage

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for salve

• mauve
• sauve
• slav
• suave
• improv

Kids Definition

salve

1 of 2 noun

ˈsav 

ˈsȧv

: a healing ointment

salve

2 of 2 verb

salved; salving

: to ease or soothe with or as if with a salve

Medical Definition

salve

noun

ˈsav  ˈsäv  ˈsȧv 

ˈsalv, 

ˈsälv

: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores