View source for Radical

{{AWL}}

=== Pronunciation ===
* {{IPA|/ˈrædɪkəl/}}
* {{SAMPA|/"r{dIk@l/}}
* {{audio|en-au-radical.ogg|AU}}

== Adjective ==
{{adj|more=true}}
# A '''radical''' change, difference, etc. is very big and important; from the [[root]]s.
#: ''The plan will not be easy and requires a '''radical''' change in the culture of the city.''
#: ''Many voices are calling for a more '''radical''' move away from the current situation.''
# A '''radial''' idea, [[policy]], etc. is one that is new and different; not [[standard]].
#: ''More '''radical''' organisations like Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have brought attention to these issues.''
#: ''In a totalitarian society there is no more '''radical''' emotion than disbelief.''
# {{technical}} Of or about a root (e.g., <math>\sqrt{4}=2</math>, the roots of [[plant]]s, the root of a word, etc.)
# [[cool]]
#: ''Dude, that outfit is '''rad'''!''

=== Synonyms ===
* [[extreme]]
* [[revolutionary]]
* [[progressive]]

=== Antonyms ===
* [[conservative]]
* [[traditional]]
* [[standard]]
* [[usual]]

=== Related words ===
* [[radically]]
* [[radicalness]]

== Noun ==
{{noun}}
# {{countable}} A '''radical''' is a person whose views are very different from most people.
#: ''Leading '''radicals''' have called for a two-hour general strike on Monday.''
#: ''These were young '''radicals''', overturning the post war consensus, rolling back the state, liberalising markets, and transforming the political economy.''
# {{countable}} {{mathematics}} A quantity expressed as a root of another quantity. (e.g., <math>\sqrt{4}</math>)
# {{countable}} {{chemistry}} An [[atom]] or a group of atoms with at least one unpaired [[electron]].
# {{countable}} {{grammar context}} The basic part of a word to which other parts can be added (e.g., <u>run</u>ner)
# {{countable}} A '''radical''' is one part of a Chinese or Japanese written [[character]] that can be combined with other parts to form a whole character.

<gallery>
File:Radical gate.svg|The ''sun'' '''radical''' in black
</gallery>

=== Synonyms ===
* [[extremist]]

=== Antonyms ===
* [[conservative]]

=== Related words ===
* [[radicalism]]