radical
/ˈrædɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrædɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈra-di-kəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈræd.ɪ.kəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈræd.ɪ.kəl/ (ame, ipa)
radical — adjective
- radicalpositive
- more radicalcomparative
- most radicalsuperlative
1. holding or expressing a strong desire for major changes in the political or soci
holding or expressing a strong desire for major changes in the political or social systems of a country, often changes that seem extreme to other people.
Jiwoo's political views became more radical after she saw the living conditions in the city.
radical + views for extreme political beliefs
The group published a radical newspaper that called for the end of the monarchy.
A radical student movement organized protests against the rising cost of food and housing.
The professor's radical ideas on education reform attracted both strong support and fierce criticism.
Chairwoman Mei-Lin's radical proposal to redistribute all farmland shocked the conservative members of parliament.
- extreme
focuses on degree of departure from the norm, often with negative tone
- revolutionary
suggests aiming to completely overthrow existing institutions
- progressive
milder and generally positive, supporting gradual improvement
- conservative
prefers to keep existing systems and avoid major change
- moderate
avoids extreme positions, seeks middle ground
文法句型
radical + noun (views, ideas, group, activist)
用法筆記
Commonly applied to people, movements, or policies that advocate extreme social or political reform. The connotation varies: some speakers use it negatively to mean 'unreasonably extreme,' while others use it positively to mean 'courageously progressive.'
常見錯誤
2. touching the deepest or most central parts of something, usually producing chang
touching the deepest or most central parts of something, usually producing change that is complete in scope and affects the whole system.
The company made radical changes to its business model after losing money for two years.
radical + changes for complete restructuring
Yara's research led to a radical new understanding of how young children learn language.
The introduction of smartphones caused a radical shift in how people communicate with each other.
Dario's rough draft differed radically from the published novel — the ending was rewritten and the characters had different names.
Baraka's new government promised radical reform of the country's outdated healthcare system.
- fundamental
focuses on basic principles without necessarily implying extreme action
- drastic
emphasizes urgency and severity of the action taken
- sweeping
suggests wide-ranging coverage affecting many areas at once
- thorough
highlights completeness and attention to all parts
- superficial
only affecting the surface, not the core
- minor
small in scale or importance
文法句型
radical + noun (change, reform, difference, shift)
用法筆記
Often precedes nouns like change, reform, difference, shift, or overhaul. The focus is on either the depth of analysis (going to the root) or the extent of transformation (affecting the whole system).
常見錯誤
3. describing a medical procedure that aims to completely remove all diseased or da
describing a medical procedure that aims to completely remove all diseased or damaged tissue, rather than just treating the symptoms.
The doctors recommended radical surgery to remove the entire tumour from Ramón's lung.
radical surgery for complete removal of diseased tissue
After the diagnosis, Mira had to decide whether to undergo a radical mastectomy.
Mr. Okonkwo's surgeon explained that radical surgery was needed to remove the tumour from his liver.
The surgeon explained that a radical operation was the only way to stop the disease from spreading further.
Xiu's family felt great relief when the radical procedure successfully removed all signs of infection.
文法句型
radical + surgery / treatment / operation / mastectomy
用法筆記
Used exclusively in medical contexts, typically before surgery, treatment, operation, mastectomy, or procedure. It is NOT interchangeable with 'severe' or 'aggressive' — 'radical' specifically means removing the root cause completely.
常見錯誤
4. extremely good, impressive, or enjoyable in a way that excites or pleases people
extremely good, impressive, or enjoyable in a way that excites or pleases people.
Anjali said the concert was absolutely radical, especially the guitar solos.
informal slang: be + radical for 'excellent'
The skateboard video showed some radical tricks that the crowd loved.
Dude, that video game level was totally radical — I have never seen graphics this good before!
That science fiction movie was so radical that Jason went to see it three times.
The party at Sofia's was radical — a live band in the backyard and a huge inflatable pool.
文法句型
Subject + be + radical
radical + noun (trick, concert, party)
用法筆記
Slang usage that peaked in the 1980s—1990s within surfer, skateboard, and youth subcultures. Still understood by most English speakers but sounds dated; younger speakers today are more likely to use awesome, sick, or dope.
常見錯誤
radical — noun
- radicalsingular
- radicalsplural
1. a person whose opinions and actions call for extreme or complete changes to a co
a person whose opinions and actions call for extreme or complete changes to a country's political or social systems.
Pedro was known as a radical who demanded a complete rewrite of the constitution.
a radical who + clause describing beliefs
The government arrested several radicals who had been planning to overthrow the current system.
plural: several radicals for multiple activists
In the 1970s, many university radicals later became mainstream politicians.
The summit brought radicals from Brazil, India, and South Africa together to plan a coordinated land reform campaign.
Kofi was arrested with other radicals who wanted a revolution against the corrupt government.
- extremist
stronger negative connotation, implies willingness to use unlawful methods
- revolutionary
specifically aims to overthrow the existing system or government
- activist
broader term, does not necessarily imply extreme views
- conservative
a person who prefers to keep existing systems
- moderate
a person who avoids extreme positions
文法句型
the + radicals
a radical who + verb
用法筆記
Often implies that the person's views are outside the political mainstream. The term can be used neutrally, approvingly (by those who share the views), or disapprovingly (by opponents). In plural form (the radicals), it may refer to an identifiable faction within a larger movement.