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medical

relating to medicine / health checkup

/ˈmɛdɪkl̩/

Adjective[C] Countable
pl: medicals

This word carries a clinical, professional, and authoritative tone. It focuses on the systemic application of science to health rather than the personal experience of feeling 'sick' or 'ill'. When used as an adjective, it distinguishes specialized healthcare from general wellness or home care. It suggests a level of certification, sterile environments, and institutional protocol. As a noun, "a medical" is more casual but remains functional. It describes a gateway eventa hurdle one must pass to prove fitness for a specific role, often implying a standardized checklist of physical tests.

Used specifically when referring to a physical health examination, such as 'a routine medical' or 'passing your medicals'.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, David is at his desk while Brian is in the server room.
David Smith

Still waiting on HR. Did you wrap up my medical yet?

David Smith
Brian
Brian

I don't do health checks, Dave. You're barking up the wrong tree.

💡
David is confusing IT with HR/Insurance, treating his 'medical' (the noun meaning a medical examination) as a technical task. Brian uses the idiom 'barking up the wrong tree' to tell David he is looking in the wrong place for an answer.

Meanings

Adjectiverelating to medicine

Relating to the science or practice of medicine.

"The patient was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention."

Nounhealth checkup

A medical examination, typically one required for employment or insurance.

"He had to pass a full medical before he could join the army."

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word medicalis, which stems from medicus, meaning a physician. This is further rooted in the Latin verb mederi, meaning to heal or cure, which originates from the Proto-Indo-European root med-, meaning to take appropriate measures or heal.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 8, 2026Report an Error