medical
MEH-dihkl
Medical (adj) means relating to the treatment of illness and the practice of medicine. Example: “She needed medical attention after the accident.”
adj
1
Relating to the treatment of illness and the practice of medicine.
"She needed medical attention after the accident."
"The company offers a medical plan covering doctor visits and prescriptions."
"The nurse checked the medical records before the operation began."
noun
1
An examination to check someone's state of health.
"Pilots must pass a medical every year to keep flying."
"I have to book a medical before I start the new job."
"The footballer failed his medical and the transfer fell through."
How to use medical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything to do with doctors, treatment, and health care.
Common pairings
medical attention
medical care
medical history
medical exam
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Word forms
- Plural
- medicals
- Comparative
- more medical
- Superlative
- most medical
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She needed _____ attention after the accident.
Etymology
From French médical, from Medieval Latin medicālis, from Latin medicus ("physician").
Synonyms
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clinical
health-related
therapeutic
healthcare
curative
checkup
aesculapian
medical exam
health check
medical checkup
medical examination
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for medical
See all rhymes for medical →Frequently asked questions
What does “medical” mean?
The word “medical” means relating to the treatment of illness and the practice of medicine. In plain terms, anything to do with doctors, treatment, and health care.
How do you pronounce “medical”?
“Medical” is pronounced MEH-dihkl (/ˈmɛdɪkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “medical” in a sentence?
Here is “medical” used in a sentence: “She needed medical attention after the accident.”
What part of speech is “medical”?
Depending on how it is used, “medical” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “medical” come from?
The word “medical” comes from Medieval Latin. From French médical, from Medieval Latin medicālis, from Latin medicus ("physician").
Is “medical” a common word?
“Medical” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “medical” have?
“Medical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the treatment of illness and the practice of medicine.
What is the difference between medical and surgical?
Both relate to treating illness, but in different ways. Medical treatment manages conditions with medicines, therapies, and other non-invasive care. Surgical treatment involves operations — physically cutting into or repairing the body. Many conditions can be treated either medically or surgically, and doctors often try medical options before considering surgery.
What is the difference between medical and clinical?
Medical is the broad word for everything relating to medicine and the treatment of illness. Clinical is narrower, referring specifically to the direct care and observation of patients — as in clinical trials or a clinical setting. All clinical work is medical, but 'medical' also covers research, records, and education beyond the bedside.
Does 'medical' only refer to doctors?
No. While doctors are central, 'medical' covers the whole field of medicine and everyone in it — nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, and researchers. It also describes things rather than people, such as medical records, medical equipment, a medical condition, or medical insurance. The word applies broadly to anything connected with healthcare and treatment.
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