A healer is someone who helps sick or injured people get better. Throughout history, healers have used different methods depending on their knowledge and culture: herbs and natural remedies, prayer and spiritual practices, or medical treatments based on science.

In ancient times, healers were often the wisest people in their communities, learning which plants could reduce fever or help wounds close. Today, doctors and nurses are healers who use modern medicine, but the word healer often refers to people who practice traditional or alternative approaches to wellness, like acupuncturists or herbalists.

The word appears frequently in fantasy stories and games, where healers use magic to mend wounds or cure diseases instantly. A video game healer might restore another player's health during battle, making them essential team members even though they don't fight directly.

You might say someone has healing hands if they're especially good at making people feel better, whether through medical skill or just their comforting presence. The related word heal means to become healthy again, and healing describes the process of recovery: “The cut on my knee is healing nicely.”