medical: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, technical, and everyday (when discussing health).
Quick answer
What does “medical” mean?
Relating to the science or practice of medicine, especially the treatment of illness and injury.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the science or practice of medicine, especially the treatment of illness and injury.
Can also describe something thoroughly examined or requiring careful inspection (e.g., 'a medical of the documents'), or a mandatory examination for health/insurance purposes (e.g., 'a pre-employment medical').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Noun use ('have a medical') is slightly more common in UK English than US English, where 'physical' or 'check-up' is often preferred. Spelling variations apply to derived terms (e.g., UK: 'medically', US: same).
Connotations
Similar core connotations in both dialects. The noun form in UK English can sound routine or bureaucratic (e.g., for insurance, employment).
Frequency
High frequency in both dialects with negligible variation in overall use.
Grammar
How to Use “medical” in a Sentence
ADJ + NOUN (medical equipment)VERB + ADJ (become medical)NOUN + ADJ (examination medical - less common)PREP + ADJ (of medical importance)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “medical” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare as verb; 'medicate' is used)
American English
- (Rare as verb; 'medicate' is used)
adverb
British English
- (Derived: 'medically') The patient is medically fit for discharge.
- It is medically proven to reduce symptoms.
American English
- (Derived: 'medically') The procedure is medically necessary.
- She was medically retired from service.
adjective
British English
- She sought immediate medical attention.
- The report requires medical verification.
- He has a complex medical history.
American English
- He has a medical condition that requires insulin.
- We need a medical opinion on this case.
- The team brought in medical supplies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to insurance (medical insurance), employee benefits, or industry sectors (medical devices).
Academic
Used in research papers, study fields (medical science), and university departments.
Everyday
Common in discussions about doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, and personal health.
Technical
Precise usage in healthcare protocols, diagnoses, pharmacology, and legal/regulatory documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “medical”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “medical”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “medical”
- Using 'medical' as a noun for a doctor (correct: 'medic' or 'physician').
- Confusing 'medical' with 'medicinal' (relating to medicine as a substance).
- Overusing 'medical' where 'health' is sufficient (e.g., 'health problem' vs. 'medical problem').
- Incorrect plural: 'medicals' is rare; prefer 'medical examinations'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while primarily an adjective, it can also be a noun informally meaning 'a medical examination' (e.g., 'I have to have a medical next week').
'Medical' relates broadly to medicine as a science or profession. 'Clinical' specifically refers to the observation and treatment of patients (e.g., clinical trials, clinical depression) or can mean 'dispassionate'.
It's very uncommon and often considered non-standard. Use 'medical examinations', 'check-ups', or 'physicals' (US) instead.
No, the word 'medical' itself is spelled identically. Differences appear in derivatives like 'medically' (same spelling) or related terms like 'paediatric' (UK) vs. 'pediatric' (US).
Relating to the science or practice of medicine, especially the treatment of illness and injury.
Medical is usually formal, academic, technical, and everyday (when discussing health). in register.
Medical: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛd.ɪ.kəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmed.ɪ.kəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A clean bill of health (related medical idiom)”
- “Fit as a fiddle”
- “Under the weather”
- “On the mend”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MEDIcine' + 'CAL'endar → You schedule a 'medical' appointment on your calendar.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICAL TREATMENT IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'road to recovery'), MEDICAL SCIENCE IS WAR (e.g., 'fight against disease').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely collocation with 'medical'?