Clinical
/ˈklɪnɪkəl/
Definitions
Relating to the observation and treatment of patients; dispassionate; precise and objective.
/ˈklɪnɪkəl/
Relating to the treatment or study of disease.
The clinical trial results were published in a peer-reviewed journal.
💡 Simply: Clinical means like a doctor's office, very precise and factual, not emotional. Think of a doctor carefully checking your heart beat – that's a clinical observation.
👶 For kids: Like a doctor's office, very careful and scientific.
More Examples
Her clinical presentation was consistent with a diagnosis of pneumonia.
How It's Used
"The doctor conducted a clinical examination."
"The clinical trial showed promising results."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Middle English *clinycal, from Old French *clinique, from Latin *clinicus, from Greek *klinikos, from *klinē ("bed"). Originally referring to things related to a sickbed, it evolved to encompass the medical profession and its objective approach.
Initially referring to a sickbed, it broadened to describe methods and settings of medical practice.
Memory tip
Think 'clinic' - a place for clinical work.
Word Origin
"relating to a bed or clinic"