clinical
KLIHN-ih-kuhl
Clinical (adj) means relating to the direct treatment and observation of patients, as opposed to theoretical research. Example: “The drug passed its clinical trials with strong results.”
adj
1
Relating to the direct treatment and observation of patients, as opposed to theoretical research.
"The drug passed its clinical trials with strong results."
"The nurse gained clinical experience by working on a busy hospital ward."
"Doctors made a clinical diagnosis after examining the patient carefully."
2
Coolly objective, detached, or unemotional, especially in an unsettling way.
"He described the accident in such a clinical tone that it felt cold."
"The room had a clinical white look that made visitors feel uneasy."
"She gave a clinical account of the argument, without a trace of feeling."
3
Precise and efficient, often used approvingly of a performance.
"It was a clinical finish from the striker, no hesitation at all."
"The team gave a clinical performance and won without ever looking worried."
"It was a clinical display of passing, and the crowd loved it."
How to use clinical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to real patient care and treatment, or (more broadly) cold, detached, and precise.
Common pairings
clinical trial
clinical setting
clinical detachment
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like clinical.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- clinicals
- Comparative
- more clinical
- Superlative
- most clinical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The drug passed its _____ trials with strong results.
Etymology
From clinic + the adjective suffix -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for clinical
See all rhymes for clinical →Frequently asked questions
What does “clinical” mean?
The word “clinical” means relating to the direct treatment and observation of patients, as opposed to theoretical research. In plain terms, relating to real patient care and treatment, or (more broadly) cold, detached, and precise.
How do you pronounce “clinical”?
“Clinical” is pronounced KLIHN-ih-kuhl (/ˈklɪn.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “clinical” in a sentence?
Here is “clinical” used in a sentence: “The drug passed its clinical trials with strong results.”
What is the opposite of “clinical”?
The opposite of “clinical” — its antonyms — is nonclinical.
What part of speech is “clinical”?
“Clinical” is an adjective.
Is “clinical” a common word?
“Clinical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “clinical” have?
“Clinical” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the direct treatment and observation of patients, as opposed to theoretical research.
What is the difference between clinical and theoretical?
Clinical work deals with real patients: examining, treating, and observing them directly. Theoretical work deals with ideas, principles, and research done away from the bedside, such as in a laboratory. A clinical trial tests something on actual people, while theoretical study explores why and how a treatment might work in principle.
What is the difference between clinical and medical?
Medical is the broad term for anything relating to medicine and the treatment of illness. Clinical is narrower, referring specifically to hands-on care and observation of patients, as opposed to research or theory. A hospital is a medical setting, but the phrase clinical experience stresses the direct, practical treatment of real patients.
Why is clinical also used to mean cold or detached?
Because clinical care focuses on precise, objective observation rather than feelings, the word gained a second everyday sense: coolly detached, plain, and without emotion. A room described as clinical feels bare and impersonal, and a clinical tone sounds matter-of-fact. This figurative use grew directly out of the medical meaning.
What does clinical mean in clinical psychology?
In clinical psychology, clinical signals the direct assessment and treatment of people with mental health conditions, rather than purely academic study. A clinical psychologist works face to face with patients to diagnose and help them, mirroring the medical sense of the word: practical, patient-centered care as opposed to theory alone.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include clinical:
