What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surgical
Example
The patient underwent surgical treatment for their heart condition. [surgical: adjective]
Example
She is a skilled surgical nurse who assists in various operations. [surgical: adjective]
medical
Example
He works in the medical field as a researcher studying new treatments for cancer. [medical: adjective]
Example
The doctor prescribed medical treatment for the patient's chronic pain. [medical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Medical is more commonly used than surgical in everyday language. Medical is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of medical practices, while surgical is more specific to surgical procedures.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surgical and medical?
Surgical is typically associated with a more formal tone due to its specialized nature and higher risk, while medical can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
