How to pronounce radical
Say it like RAD-uh-kul. Radical has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce radical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RAD
- uh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Radical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of radical
American and British speakers say radical in essentially the same way: /ˈrædəkəl/ in the US and /ˈrædɪkəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: RAD-ih-kul.
What does radical mean?
- (chemistry) two or more atoms bound together as a single unit and forming part of a molecule
- an atom or group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron; in the body it is usually an oxygen molecule that has lost an electron and will stabilize itself by stealing an electron from a nearby molecule“in the body free radicals are high-energy particles that ricochet wildly and damage cells”
- a person who has radical ideas or opinions
- (used of opinions and actions) far beyond the norm“extremist political views”“radical opinions on education”
- markedly new or introducing radical change“a revolutionary discovery”“radical political views”
- arising from or going to the root or source“a radical flaw in the plan”
Where does radical come from?
Inherited from Middle English radical, from Latin rādīcālis (“of or pertaining to the root, having roots, radical”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying radical
How do you pronounce radical?
Say RAD-uh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈrædəkəl/. In British English it is /ˈrædɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in radical?
Radical has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RAD). Broken into parts: RAD · uh · kul.
Do Americans and Brits say radical the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrædəkəl/ and the British form is /ˈrædɪkəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.