What does radically mean?
Radically is an adverb meaning fundamentally, completely, or to an extreme extent. It describes a change or difference that goes beyond a minor adjustment and affects the basic character of something: a policy can radically transform a system, while two accounts can be radically different. In everyday use, the word often conveys the idea of striking contrast, depth, or scope. It may also describe something unusually unconventional or extreme, although this usage is less common than the sense of fundamental change. The word is related to radical, which in turn comes from Latin radix, meaning 'root'. Thus, its metaphorical sense is well suited to changes that reach the roots of a subject. When used to modify a verb such as change, alter, or transform, it emphasises the scale and fundamental nature of the change rather than merely its speed or extent.
adverbIn a thorough or fundamental way; completely. It can also mean to a great or extreme extent, depending on context.
- In a fundamental or thorough manner; completely.
- To a very great extent; vastly.
- In a highly unconventional or extreme manner.
"The proposed reform would radically change the way the department operates."
"The new evidence radically altered the researchers' understanding of the disease."
"The two approaches differ radically, making it impossible to combine them without substantial revision."
A radical idea can sound dangerous until you notice that radically simply means changing something at its roots.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does radically come from?
The word comes from the adjective radical, which was borrowed from Latin radicalis, derived from radix, 'root'. In English, radical first referred to something pertaining to a root, especially in botany, before acquiring its political sense of advocating fundamental change. The adverb form developed from this adjective and has long been used for changes that go to the roots of something. Its cognates in other European languages likewise connect with ideas of roots and fundamental alteration.
Related word forms
How radically is actually used
In contemporary standard English, it most often describes a fundamental or complete change. It can also convey an extreme or unconventional quality, as in 'radically different ideas', but that sense is less dominant than the sense of thorough transformation.