adjective
radical
RADIH-kuhl
adjective
1
Favoring extreme, fundamental change, especially in politics or society.
"The party's radical wing pushed for a complete overhaul of the tax system."
2
Thorough and far-reaching; affecting the most basic or essential part of something.
"The company underwent a radical restructuring after the merger."
"Doctors recommended a radical change in his diet."
noun
1
A person who holds extreme or fundamentally reforming political views.
"He was branded a radical for questioning the party leadership."
2
In chemistry, a group of atoms that behaves as a single unit in reactions (often short for "free radical").
"Free radicals in the body are linked to cellular aging."
How to Use Radical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtreme or fundamental — getting to the root of something, whether in politics, change, or chemistry.
Common pairings
radical change
radical politics
free radical
radical idea
Word Forms
more radical comparative, radicals plural, most radical superlative
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The party's _____ wing pushed for a complete overhaul of the tax system.
Etymology
From Latin radicalis, "of or having roots", from radix, "root" — the political and thorough-change senses developed from the idea of getting to the root of a problem.