LookItUp

radical

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈrædɪkəl/

Forms: radicals

radical means: Affecting the basic nature of something in a very large or important way.

adjective

MAJOR CHANGEB2

Affecting the basic nature of something in a very large or important way.

  • The house needs radical changes.
  • Their plans represent a radical shift in policy.
  • We proposed a radical overhaul of the system.

Similar words: fundamental, drastic, major

Opposites: minor, superficial

Common phrases: radical change, radical reform, radical difference

UNCONVENTIONALB2

Very different from accepted ideas or usual ways of doing things.

  • Her idea seemed radical at first.
  • The architect proposed a radical new design.
  • Would a more radical approach solve the problem?

Similar words: unconventional, innovative

Opposites: conventional

Common phrases: radical idea, radical approach, radical design

FUNDAMENTAL REFORMB2

Supporting changes to the basic rules or organization of society or another system.

  • He holds radical political views.
  • The radical party demanded a new system of government.
  • Her beliefs became more radical over time.

Similar words: revolutionary

Opposites: conservative

Common phrases: radical beliefs, radical movement, radical politics

FAR REACHINGC1

Extensive and thorough, affecting all or many parts of something.

  • The disease required radical treatment.
  • Radical surgery removed the entire affected organ.
  • They considered whether a less radical procedure would work.

Similar words: thorough, far-reaching, extensive

Opposites: limited

Common phrases: radical surgery, radical treatment, radical removal

ROOT RELATEDC2

Connected with the root of a plant, word, or number.

  • The plant has several radical leaves.
  • Students learned to simplify radical expressions.
  • The radical element remains when the word ending is removed.

Common phrases: radical leaves, radical expression, radical element

AWESOMEB2

Extremely good, exciting, or impressive.

  • That trick was radical!
  • We caught some radical waves yesterday.
  • Your new board looks radical, dude.

Similar words: awesome, cool, great

Opposites: awful

Common phrases: radical trick, radical ride, radical outfit

noun

REFORM SUPPORTERB2

Someone who supports major changes to society or holds views very different from most people.

  • He was a radical in his youth.
  • The radicals called for major political changes.
  • Moderates and radicals disagreed about the next step.

Similar words: revolutionary

Opposites: conservative

Common phrases: political radical, young radical, left-wing radical

REACTIVE ATOMC1

An atom or group of atoms with an electron that has no partner, often making it react easily.

  • The reaction produced a radical.
  • Free radicals can react with nearby molecules.
  • Each radical has at least one unpaired electron.

Similar words: free radical

Common phrases: free radical, radical reaction, oxygen radical

Questions about radical

What does radical mean?

Affecting the basic nature of something in a very large or important way.

What is radical in other languages?

Türkçe: köklü · Español: radical · Français: radical · Deutsch: grundlegend · Italiano: radicale · 日本語: 抜本的な

How do you pronounce radical?

It is pronounced /ˈrædɪkəl/.

How do you use radical in a sentence?

The house needs radical changes. Their plans represent a radical shift in policy.

Learn radical while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

radical in other languages

More words