clinical
/ˈklɪnɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈklɪnɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkli-ni-kəl/ (ame, mw)
clinical — adjective
- clinicalpositive
- more clinicalcomparative
- most clinicalsuperlative
1. focused on the hands-on care of sick people by doctors and nurses, as opposed to
focused on the hands-on care of sick people by doctors and nurses, as opposed to laboratory research or theoretical study.
The new cancer drug is being tested in a clinical trial at three major hospitals.
clinical trial — common compound noun
Dr. Okafor has more than twenty years of clinical experience with heart disease patients.
clinical experience — collocation for hands-on patient care
The medical students began their clinical training at the city hospital last month.
Yusuf decided to specialize in clinical psychology after volunteering at a mental health clinic.
- medical
broader term covering all aspects of medicine and healthcare
- therapeutic
focuses on healing and treatment rather than diagnosis or observation
- theoretical
contrasts with hands-on practical work with patients
- laboratory-based
not involving direct patient care
文法句型
clinical + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in compound nouns such as clinical trial, clinical practice, clinical psychology, and clinical research. It typically appears before a noun.
常見錯誤
2. behaving or speaking in a calm and cold way that shows no personal feelings, sym
behaving or speaking in a calm and cold way that shows no personal feelings, sympathy, or emotional involvement toward others.
The judge delivered the sentence in a clinical tone, showing no emotion toward the crying family.
clinical tone — describes unemotional way of speaking
Priya's clinical analysis of the team's failures upset the staff, who felt she ignored their hard work.
clinical analysis — analytical approach without personal feeling
The report gave a clinical assessment of the company's problems without offering any words of comfort.
Theo described the accident with clinical detachment, as if it had happened to a stranger.
- detached
neutral or slightly negative, implies emotional distance
- dispassionate
formal and neutral, lacking bias but not necessarily cold
- cold
stronger negative connotation, suggests unfriendliness
- emotional
showing feelings openly
- sympathetic
showing care and understanding
文法句型
clinical + noun
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly critical connotation, implying excessive coldness rather than useful objectivity. For a neutral meaning, use 'objective' or 'impartial' instead.
常見錯誤
3. describing a room, building, or other indoor space that is very plain and simple
describing a room, building, or other indoor space that is very plain and simple, without decoration, warmth, or any inviting qualities.
The hospital waiting room felt clinical with its white walls, tiled floor, and plastic chairs.
clinical feel — describes cold, bare physical environment
Beatriz added plants and colorful curtains to make her office feel less clinical.
less clinical — comparative form common for describing spaces
The new apartment had a clean but clinical look, like a hotel room with no personal touches.
The school classroom was painted in shades of grey and felt far too clinical for young children.
- sterile
similar meaning of no warmth, but also suggests a lack of life or personality
- bare
simpler, less negative implication
- institutional
suggests a place that looks like a public facility rather than a home
- cold
more general, can describe both temperature and atmosphere
文法句型
clinical + noun
用法筆記
Applies only to physical environments such as rooms, offices, and buildings. Not used to describe people or their behaviour.