radical

The word “radical” means favoring extreme, fundamental change, especially in politics or society. In plain terms, extreme or fundamental — getting to the root of something, whether in politics, change, or chemistry.

“Radical” is pronounced RADIH-kuhl (/ˈɹædɪkəl/ in IPA).

Here is “radical” used in a sentence: “The party's radical wing pushed for a complete overhaul of the tax system.”

Words with a similar meaning to “radical” include Jacobin, Jacobinic and Jacobinical.

The opposite of “radical” — its antonyms — are derivative and derived.

Depending on how it is used, “radical” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “radical” comes from Latin. From Latin radicalis, "of or having roots", from radix, "root" — the political and thorough-change senses developed from the idea of getting to the root of a problem.

“Radical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

"Radical" favours fundamental, far-reaching change, especially in politics or society, and focuses on getting to the root of an issue. "Extreme" simply means very far from moderate or ordinary. Radical change is deep and thorough, while extreme describes intensity or degree.

Both involve major change, but "radical" describes favouring extreme, fundamental change or affecting the most basic part of something. "Revolutionary" specifically implies a complete overthrow or replacement of an existing system. Radical ideas may be adopted gradually, while revolutionary ones break sharply with the past.

In politics or society, "radical" means favouring extreme, fundamental change. More broadly, it means thorough and far-reaching, affecting the most basic or essential part of something, as in "a radical redesign." Both senses share the idea of reaching the root.