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 feelingsUpton Sinclair

salve

3 of 3

verb (2)

salved; salving
salvor
ˈsal-vər How to pronounce salve (audio)
-ˌvȯr
noun

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
Rome’s nonstop blabbing about the dos and don’ts of fishing have gotten most of the tribe wound up, though ignoring him and talking smack behind his back seem to be a salve. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 2 Oct. 2024 These pieces are intended to address histories of colonialism while also acting as salves for the pain caused by them. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Verb
This statement didn’t salve the ire of those who are not convinced by the sustainability claims of the proposals. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 Playing like ear salve for anyone who enjoys camping festivals, bass music and tie-dye (preferably all at the same time), the album melds each producer’s celestially-leaning, world music influenced and thoroughly pummeling styles into a groovy, deep, totally fun 13-track collection. Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for salve 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'salve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of salve was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near salve

Cite this Entry

“Salve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salve. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

salve

1 of 2 noun
ˈsav How to pronounce salve (audio)
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 How to pronounce salve (audio) ˈsäv How to pronounce salve (audio) ˈsȧv How to pronounce salve (audio)
ˈsalv,
ˈsälv
: an unctuous adhesive substance for application to wounds or sores

More from Merriam-Webster on salve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!