Radical
'rædɪkəl
Definitions
4 meaningsAffecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching and thorough.
'rædɪkəl
Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.
The company made radical changes to its business strategy.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're rebuilding a house. A radical change is like tearing down the whole building and starting over, not just repainting the walls. It's a big, big change, like when a chef radically changes a dish by using an unusual ingredient.
👶 For kids: When something is radical, it's a big and important change, like a superhero changing their costume.
More Examples
He had a radical idea about how to solve the problem.
The new laws represented a radical shift in the country's political landscape.
How It's Used
"The politician proposed radical reforms to the healthcare system."
"Radical changes in the earth's climate are evident."
Favoring or causing fundamental change; relating to or advocating for extreme political or social reform.
'rædɪkəl
The radical group advocated for the overthrow of the government.
💡 Simply: Imagine a political group that wants to completely change the way the government works, not just make small changes. That's a radical group. It's like saying: 'Let's change *everything*!'.
👶 For kids: If someone is radical, they want to change the rules a lot, maybe even all the rules!
More Examples
His radical views on education were controversial.
The radical political party promised sweeping reforms.
How It's Used
"The radical activist advocated for complete social revolution."
"The radical group protested against the government's policies."
A person who advocates thorough or complete political or social reform; a person who has extreme political views.
'rædɪkəl
The radicals called for an end to the monarchy.
💡 Simply: A radical is someone who believes in big changes. They might be part of a group trying to completely change society or how things are run. Like someone who wants to change the whole game.
👶 For kids: A radical is someone who has strong ideas about changing things a lot.
More Examples
The government feared the influence of the radicals.
She was known as a radical in her community.
How It's Used
"The radicals organized protests against the war."
"The government was wary of the radical faction within the movement."
An atom, molecule, or ion that has an unpaired valence electron.
'rædɪkəl
A group of atoms acting as a unit.
Free radicals can cause cellular damage.
💡 Simply: Imagine tiny atoms bumping into each other. Sometimes, one atom has an extra bit that isn't connected to anything. It's like having a Lego brick with no place to go. These 'leftover' bits are called free radicals in science, and they can make things change fast (and sometimes badly!).
👶 For kids: A radical is like a little piece of something that is all alone and trying to find a friend.
More Examples
The reaction was initiated by the formation of a radical.
The antioxidant neutralizes the free radical.
How It's Used
"Free radicals are highly reactive and can damage cells."
"Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals."
Synonyms
Drastic
Extensive
Fundamental
Extreme
Militant
Progressive
Activist
Extremist
Idioms & expressions
radical chic
The adoption of radical political views by people of fashionable society.
"The author critiqued the radical chic movement."
From Late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix 'root'. Initially referred to the root of a plant or the base of something, it later evolved to signify fundamental change in politics and other areas.
Used in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to describe those advocating for fundamental political reforms, particularly in response to the French Revolution.
Memory tip
Think of a root (radix) – a radical change digs deep and changes the whole foundation.