I. rad ‧ i ‧ cal 1 W3 AC /ˈrædɪk ə l/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ radical , ↑ radicalism ; verb : ↑ radicalize ; adverb : ↑ radically ; adjective : ↑ radical ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: radicalis , from Latin radix 'root' ]
1 . CHANGE/DIFFERENCE a radical change or difference is very big and important OPP slight :
They are proposing radical changes to the way the company is run.
a radical reform of the tax system
There are radical differences between the two organizations.
2 . OPINIONS radical ideas are very new and different, and are against what most people think or believe ⇨ conservative :
He has put forward some very radical ideas.
I was shocked by her radical views.
a radical approach to education
3 . PEOPLE someone who is radical has ideas that are very new and different, and against what most people think or believe:
a radical left-wing politician
a radical feminist
4 . GOOD American English informal very good or enjoyable:
That was one radical party last night!
—radically /-kli/ adverb :
a radically different method of production
a radically new approach to the problem
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ a radical change
If that offer is serious, it will mark a radical change in policy.
▪ a radical transformation (=a complete change in appearance, especially when this is an improvement)
The city has undergone a radical transformation.
▪ radical measures (=extreme actions)
Instead of retreating, he suggested even more radical measures.
▪ radical reform (=big changes to a system or organization in order to improve it)
He said the institution was in need of radical reform.
▪ a radical overhaul (=big changes in order to improve something)
government plans for a radical overhaul of the health care system
▪ a radical difference
There is a radical difference between this and other dieting methods.
▪ a radical departure (=something very different)
The design of the building is a radical departure from tradition.
▪ a radical rethink (=when you think about a plan or idea again in a very different way)
The Conservative Party leader called for a radical rethink of economic policy.
II. radical 2 AC BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ radical , ↑ radicalism ; verb : ↑ radicalize ; adverb : ↑ radically ; adjective : ↑ radical ]
someone who has new and different ideas, especially someone who wants complete social and political change ⇨ conservative :
radicals on the extreme left wing of the party
—radicalism noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ right-wing adjective a right-wing person or group wants low taxes, a strong army and police force, and the individual to be free from government interference as much as possible:
right-wing political parties
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Some of his supporters are very right-wing.
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right-wing policies on gun control
▪ left-wing adjective a left-wing person or group wants the government to make society more equal by increasing taxes for rich people, and taking control of important industries and services:
a left-wing newspaper
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His views are very left-wing.
▪ green adjective [usually before noun] supporting policies and principles which will protect the environment:
green politicians
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the Green Party
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The government is under pressure to improve its green credentials (=to seem more like it wants to protect the environment) .
▪ radical adjective supporting political ideas that will involve great change:
radical politicians
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a radical economic reform programme
▪ liberal adjective supporting political ideas that will allow people to have greater freedom:
They want the government to have a more liberal policy on drugs.
▪ moderate adjective having political opinions which are not extreme:
People generally become more moderate as they get older.
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The bill is supported by moderate Republicans.
▪ extreme adjective having political opinions which are considered to be very unreasonable by many people:
His views on immigration are very extreme.
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an extreme right-wing organization