# radical

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈɹædɪkəl/ · frequency rank #4,112

## Definitions
1. Favoring fundamental change, or change at the root cause of a matter.
2. Pertaining to a root (of a plant).
3. Pertaining to the basic or intrinsic nature of something.
4. Thoroughgoing; far-reaching.
5. Of or pertaining to the root of a word.
6. Produced using the root of the tongue.
7. Involving free radicals.
8. Relating to a radix or mathematical root.
9. Excellent; awesome.

## Etymology
PIE word
 *wréh₂ds
Inherited from Middle English radical, from Latin rādīcālis (“of or pertaining to the root, having roots, radical”). Compare grassroots.

## Easily confused with
- **rascal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radical-vs-rascal)
- **radically** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radical-vs-radically)
- **racial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/racial-vs-radical)
- **radial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/radial-vs-radical)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ardical`, `radcial`, `raddical`, `radiacl`, `radicall`, `radiccal`, `radicla`, `raidcal`, `rdaical`, `rradical`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/radical