radical

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈrædɪkəl/
• SAMPA: /"r{dIk@l/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive radical

Comparative more radical

Superlative most radical

1. A radical change, difference, etc. is very big and important; from the roots.

   The plan will not be easy and requires a radical change in the culture of the city.

   Many voices are calling for a more radical move away from the current situation.

2. A radial idea, policy, etc. is one that is new and different; not standard.

   More radical organisations like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have brought attention to these issues.

   In a totalitarian society there is no more radical emotion than disbelief.

3. (technical) Of or about a root (e.g., ${\sqrt {4}}=2$, the roots of plants, the root of a word, etc.)
4. cool

   Dude, that outfit is rad!

Synonyms

• extreme
• revolutionary
• progressive

Antonyms

• conservative
• traditional
• standard
• usual

Related words

• radically
• radicalness

Noun

Singular radical

Plural radicals

1. (countable) A radical is a person whose views are very different from most people.

   Leading radicals have called for a two-hour general strike on Monday.

   These were young radicals, overturning the post war consensus, rolling back the state, liberalising markets, and transforming the political economy.

2. (countable) (mathematics) A quantity expressed as a root of another quantity. (e.g., ${\sqrt {4}}$)
3. (countable) (chemistry) An atom or a group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron.
4. (countable) (grammar) The basic part of a word to which other parts can be added (e.g., runner)
5. (countable) A radical is one part of a Chinese or Japanese written character that can be combined with other parts to form a whole character.

• 
  The sun radical in black

Synonyms

• extremist

Antonyms

• conservative

Related words

• radicalism