medical
/ˈmedɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmedɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈme-di-kəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmed.ɪ.kəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmed.ɪ.kəl/ (ame, ipa)
medical — adjective
- medicalpositive
- more medicalcomparative
- most medicalsuperlative
1. relating to the work of doctors, nurses, and hospitals in treating sickness and
relating to the work of doctors, nurses, and hospitals in treating sickness and injury.
Yasmin decided to go to medical school after volunteering at a hospital.
collocation: medical school
The hospital keeps detailed medical records for every patient who stays overnight.
collocation: medical records
After his knee surgery, Kenji needed several weeks of medical care at home.
Asthma is a medical condition that affects the lungs and makes breathing difficult.
A full medical history helps doctors understand what illnesses a patient has had.
- clinical
more specific; related to direct patient care or hospital observation, often contrasting with laboratory or theoretical
- healthcare
broader; includes prevention, public health, and long-term care, not just treating illness
- therapeutic
focuses on the healing or curative process itself, often for specific treatments
文法句型
medical + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used directly before a noun (attributive position). You say 'medical treatment' or 'medical school', not 'The treatment is medical'. This is the most common sense of the word in everyday English.
常見錯誤
2. involving the use of medicine and other non-surgical methods to treat disease or
involving the use of medicine and other non-surgical methods to treat disease or injury, rather than cutting the body during an operation.
The doctors chose a medical approach with drugs instead of operating on her heart.
contrast: medical approach vs. surgery
Eitan chose medical therapy for his back pain to avoid surgery.
collocation: medical therapy
For minor infections, a medical treatment with antibiotics is usually enough.
When surgery is too risky, doctors may recommend medical options such as medicine or physiotherapy.
- non-surgical
direct synonym; interchangeable in most medical contexts
- medicinal
narrower; refers specifically to substances used for healing, such as herbs or drugs
- pharmaceutical
relates specifically to manufactured drugs and their use
- surgical
the direct opposite; involving cutting into the body during an operation
文法句型
medical + noun (contrasted with surgical)
用法筆記
Only use this sense when the context involves a contrast with surgical treatment. In everyday situations without that contrast, sense 1 (MEDICAL CARE) is the correct choice. Typically found in hospital or clinical discussions about treatment options.
常見錯誤
medical — noun
- medicalsingular
- medicalsplural
1. a health check where a doctor examines your body to see if you are well, often r
a health check where a doctor examines your body to see if you are well, often required when starting work or taking out insurance.
Liam had to have a medical before he could join the police force.
have + a medical (before joining)
The company asks each new employee to have a medical within the first month.
have + a medical (employment requirement)
During his medical, the doctor listened to João's heart and checked his blood pressure.
Nila booked a medical at the clinic before training for the marathon.
The insurance company asked João to have a medical before they approved his policy.
- check-up
more general; can refer to a dental or car inspection, not just a health exam
- physical
American English equivalent; short for 'physical examination'
- examination
more formal; used in official or medical writing
文法句型
have / get + a medical
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed patterns 'have a medical' and 'get a medical'. In British English this is the standard conversational term; American English prefers 'physical' or 'physical exam'. Countable but almost always stays singular.