ENGLISH
REFERENCE

surgical

adj.
US //ˈsɝdʒɪkəɫ// UK //sˈɜːdʒɪkəl// sur·gi·cal
  1. 1 medical surgery (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    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.

    Example

    The patient was moved to the surgical ward after his heart operation.

    Example

    Advances in surgical technology have allowed for much smaller incisions, significantly reducing the recovery time for most patients.
    • non surgical
  2. 2 precise and accurate (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    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.

    Example

    The pilot performed a surgical strike on the enemy base to avoid hitting the city.

    Example

    The CEO handled the restructuring with surgical precision, removing underperforming departments without disrupting the core business operations.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 long and painful (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    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.

    Example

    The meeting was surgical in its length, lasting for over five hours.

    Example

    The legal battle proved to be a surgical ordeal, dragging on for years and exhausting the resources of everyone involved.
Origin

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.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference