surgical
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
related to or used in medical operations where a doctor cuts into the body.
relating to, used in, or resulting from surgery. Often used to describe instruments, procedures, or medical wards.
Simple“The patient was moved to the surgical ward after his heart operation.”
In context“Advances in surgical technology have allowed for much smaller incisions, significantly reducing the recovery time for most patients.”
SynonymsAntonymsnon surgical - 02 C1 Advanced
done with extreme care and accuracy, like a doctor's work.
metaphorically precise, accurate, or targeted. Often used in military or technical contexts to describe actions performed with minimal collateral damage.
Simple“The pilot performed a surgical strike on the enemy base to avoid hitting the city.”
In context“The CEO handled the restructuring with surgical precision, removing underperforming departments without disrupting the core business operations.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
describing something that is very long, boring, or difficult to finish.
describing a process that is excruciatingly or wearyingly drawn-out. This usage is less common and highly figurative.
Simple“The meeting was surgical in its length, lasting for over five hours.”
In context“The legal battle proved to be a surgical ordeal, dragging on for years and exhausting the resources of everyone involved.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“A thin surgical instrument with a lens, a light, a blade and an irrigation system for pumping saline solution would be inserted through her vagina and cervix, into her womb.”
“The company has already been ordered to repay £148m to the government after the High Court found it had breached a contract to supply millions of surgical gowns.”
From Middle English cirurgical, borrowed from Middle French cirurgical, from Medieval Latin cirurgicālis, ultimately from Ancient Greek χειρουργία (kheirourgía), from χείρ (kheír, “hand”) + ἔργον (érgon, “work”). Replaced Old English Old English læċe (“doctor, physician”). By surface analysis, surgery + -ical.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.