Word
remedial
Phoneticsre·me·di·al, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈmidiəɫ/
UK/ɹɪmˈiːdɪəl/
Definition
adj. intended to help someone improve a basic skill they find difficult, or to fix a problem. You often hear this about extra classes for students who are falling behind.
adj. intended as a remedy or cure; specifically, relating to teaching or learning for students who require additional support to reach standard levels. Often used attributively before a noun.
Examples
“He takes a remedial math class on Tuesday nights.”
“The school introduced a remedial reading program to help students who had fallen behind during the long summer break.”
“While the immediate focus was on remedial measures to stabilize the economy, the long-term strategy required a complete overhaul of the nation's aging infrastructure and tax code.”
Examples
simple
“He takes a remedial math class on Tuesday nights.”
contextual
“The school introduced a remedial reading program to help students who had fallen behind during the long summer break.”
complex
“While the immediate focus was on remedial measures to stabilize the economy, the long-term strategy required a complete overhaul of the nation's aging infrastructure and tax code.”
Usage
Typically precedes the noun it modifies; often pairs with 'education', 'action', or 'measures'.
Real-World Examples
“Falling student numbers at the building led to financial losses, leaving the company unable to fund essential fire safety remedial works.” “It also runs remedial classes and accelerated learning programs for children who have been out of school for months, or even years – a bridge back into the formal system.” Etymology
From Latin remediālis. By surface analysis, remedy + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/remedial