What does salubrious mean?
Salubrious is a formal adjective meaning wholesome, healthy, or beneficial to well-being. It is especially used for food, climates, environments, and living conditions that support good health, as in “a salubrious climate” or “a salubrious diet.” The word can also have the broader sense of being advantageous or favorable, particularly when describing an arrangement, policy, or development. Its tone is polished and somewhat old-fashioned, so it is more common in careful writing than in everyday conversation. Salubrious is related etymologically to salubrity and salutary, as well as to the Latin salus, meaning health or well-being. Although it may sound overly formal today, it remains useful for describing qualities that promote physical health or general flourishing.
Wholesome, healthy, or conducive to health and well-being.
"Fresh air and regular exercise contributed to a salubrious way of life."
Especially used of food, climate, surroundings, and living conditions; formal and literary in tone.
Beneficial or favorable to well-being, prosperity, or successful development.
"The new policy was welcomed as a salubrious influence on the local economy."
This broader sense is less common than the health-related sense and is chiefly formal.
Salubrious comes from Latin salus, meaning health or well-being: the word literally celebrates what helps us stay well.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does salubrious come from?
Salubrious derives from Latin salubris, meaning healthy or wholesome, and the related form salubriosus. The root salus denotes health, well-being, and safety. English borrowed the word in the 16th century, initially in medical and general contexts, and it has continued to be associated with health-promoting qualities.
Related word forms
How salubrious is actually used
Salubrious is formal and somewhat literary. In modern usage it most often describes food, climates, surroundings, or conditions that support good health, but it can also mean broadly beneficial.
Easily confused with salubrious
Salubrious specifically describes something that promotes health, whereas salutary more broadly means beneficial or advantageous.
Salubrious means wholesome or health-promoting, while salubriousness refers to the quality of being wholesome or health-promoting.