Word
surgical
Phoneticssur·gi·cal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɝdʒɪkəɫ/
UK/sˈɜːdʒɪkəl/
Definitions
01medical surgery
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
adj. related to or used in medical operations where a doctor cuts into the body.
adj. relating to, used in, or resulting from surgery. Often used to describe instruments, procedures, or medical wards.
“The patient was moved to the surgical ward after his heart operation.”
“Advances in surgical technology have allowed for much smaller incisions, significantly reducing the recovery time for most patients.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02precise and accurate
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. done with extreme care and accuracy, like a doctor's work.
adj. metaphorically precise, accurate, or targeted. Often used in military or technical contexts to describe actions performed with minimal collateral damage.
“The pilot performed a surgical strike on the enemy base to avoid hitting the city.”
“The CEO handled the restructuring with surgical precision, removing underperforming departments without disrupting the core business operations.”
03long and painful
C2 · Proficiency Literary
adj. describing something that is very long, boring, or difficult to finish.
adj. describing a process that is excruciatingly or wearyingly drawn-out. This usage is less common and highly figurative.
“The meeting was surgical in its length, lasting for over five hours.”
“The legal battle proved to be a surgical ordeal, dragging on for years and exhausting the resources of everyone involved.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “surgical” in context.
Verb
01. require surgical treatment
“Doctors determined that the ligament tear was too severe to heal on its own and would require surgical treatment.”
verb + adj + noun
02. undergo surgical procedures
“She had to undergo several surgical procedures to repair the damage caused by the accident.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. surgical intervention
“The patient's condition deteriorated so rapidly that immediate surgical intervention was required.”
adj + noun
04. surgical mask
“All staff members are required to wear a surgical mask while inside the operating theater.”
adj + noun
05. surgical precision
“The CEO executed the restructuring plan with surgical precision, cutting costs without affecting productivity.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. surgical strike
“The military carried out a surgical strike to neutralize the threat while minimizing civilian casualties.”
adj + noun
07. surgical ward
“After the operation, he was moved from intensive care to the surgical ward for recovery.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/surgical