Radically
ˈrædɪkli
Definitions
To a great extent; fundamentally or extremely.
ˈrædɪkli
In a fundamental or extreme way.
The new technology radically improved the company's efficiency.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're completely changing something, like maybe you decide to paint your bedroom a crazy color. When you paint every wall and ceiling a totally different color, you're radically changing the room because the change goes all the way through it and is very noticeable.
👶 For kids: When something changes a lot and is very big, that's radically!
More Examples
He radically changed his lifestyle after his diagnosis.
The artist radically departed from his previous style.
How It's Used
"The party's policies radically altered the landscape of national politics."
"New research radically changed our understanding of the disease."
From Late Latin *radicalis* ('of the root') + -ly. Related to the word 'root' and originally referred to something affecting the fundamental nature of something.
Historically, 'radically' was used in philosophical and scientific contexts to denote fundamental changes or principles. Its use expanded with the rise of political ideologies focusing on societal transformation.
Memory tip
Think of the word's root – a radical change goes to the very core of something.