Word of the Day

: September 17, 2007

salubrious

adjective suh-LOO-bree-us

What It Means

: favorable to or promoting health or well-being

salubrious in Context

Scott's breathing problems have improved markedly since he left the city and moved to a place with a more salubrious climate.

Did You Know?

"Salubrious" and its synonyms "healthful" and "wholesome" all mean favorable to the health of mind or body. "Healthful" implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition (as in Charles Dickens' advice to "take more healthful exercise"). "Wholesome" applies to something that benefits you, builds you up, or sustains you physically, mentally, or spiritually. Louisa May Alcott used this sense in Little Women: "Work is wholesome.... It keeps us from ennui and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of power and independence...." "Salubrious" is similar to the other two, but tends to apply chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.