remedial
gb/ɹɪmˈidiəl/ us/ɹɪmˈidiəl/
B2
English
~ 9500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
helping weaker students catch up
Describing a class or program that helps students who are behind in school to catch up with others.
Usage pattern:
remedial [class/course/education/program]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'remedial' means 'basic' for everyone. In education, it specifically means classes for students who are behind the normal level. It can also sound negative if used about people, so it is usually used for classes or programs, not directly for students (say 'students in remedial classes', not 'remedial students' in careful modern usage).
Synonyms
support (Often used before 'classes' or 'lessons'; slightly broader and less specific than 'remedial'.)
|
catch-up (Informal; emphasizes closing a gap, commonly used before 'classes' or 'lessons'.)
Antonyms
advanced (Refers to classes for students above the normal level, the opposite group from those in remedial classes.)
Collocations
remedial class
|remedial classes
|remedial course
|remedial education
|remedial teaching
|remedial program
Themes
education
|school
|learning
Examples
- The school offers remedial classes in math for students who are struggling.
- She enrolled in a remedial reading course to improve her basic skills.
- Funding for remedial education has been cut in several districts.
- Remedial teaching is available after school for anyone who failed the exam.
- The college requires some students to take remedial English before regular courses.
Learner examples
- He takes a remedial math class after school.
- The college put her in a remedial English course.
- Remedial classes help slow students catch up.
- Our school has remedial reading for weak readers.
- She needs remedial education in basic writing.
adjective
formal
B2
property
2
intended to correct a problem
Done to fix a problem or bad situation and make it better.
Usage pattern:
remedial [action/measures/steps/work]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'remedial' with 'medical' and use it only for health. In this sense, 'remedial' is broader and used for fixing any kind of problem, especially in formal writing and reports. Also, avoid 'do a remedial'; say 'take remedial action' or 'carry out remedial work'.
Synonyms
corrective (Very close in meaning; common in technical and formal contexts like 'corrective action'.)
|
rehabilitative (Focuses more on restoring something or someone to a good condition over time.)
Antonyms
harmful (Describes actions that make a problem or situation worse instead of fixing it.)
|
negligent (Describes failing to take remedial action when it is needed.)
Collocations
remedial action
|remedial measures
|remedial steps
|remedial work
|remedial plan
|remedial repairs
Themes
business
|law
|environment
|government
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company agreed to take remedial action to clean up the polluted river.
- Engineers are carrying out remedial work on the unsafe bridge.
- The report recommended several remedial measures to prevent future data breaches.
- Without prompt remedial steps, the damage to the building could become permanent.
- The landlord was ordered to complete remedial repairs within thirty days.
Learner examples
- The city took remedial action to fix the water problem.
- We must take remedial steps to reduce the risk.
- The old house needs remedial work after the flood.
- They made remedial repairs to the roof.
- New remedial measures will improve safety.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
dealing with legal remedies
Used in law to describe rules or actions that give help or money to fix a wrong, instead of punishing someone.
Usage pattern:
remedial [legislation/law/powers/order]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a technical legal use and try to apply it to everyday situations. In everyday speech, people more often say 'legal remedy', not 'remedial law'. Use this sense mainly when reading or writing about law and policy.
Synonyms
restorative (Legal and formal; stresses restoring the situation or rights, often used about justice systems.)
Antonyms
punitive (Focuses on punishment rather than giving a remedy or compensation.)
Collocations
remedial legislation
|remedial law
|remedial order
|remedial powers
Themes
law
|government
Examples
- The government introduced remedial legislation to protect tenants from unfair evictions.
- Under its remedial powers, the court can order the company to compensate affected customers.
- This section of remedial law deals with how victims can claim damages.
- The regulator issued a remedial order requiring changes to the bank's internal controls.
- Civil courts are primarily concerned with remedial rather than punitive measures.
Learner examples
- The court used its remedial powers to help the victims.
- New remedial legislation was passed after the scandal.
- Remedial law explains how people can get money for harm.
- A remedial order told the firm to change its rules.
- These rules are remedial, not punitive.
adjective
formal
B2
property
4
used as treatment or therapy
Describing special exercises or treatment that help your body get better after an injury or problem.
Usage pattern:
remedial [massage/exercise/therapy/treatment]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'remedial' always means 'school-related'. In some English varieties, especially in health and fitness, it is used with words like 'massage' or 'exercise' to mean treatment for a physical problem. In many places, however, 'therapeutic' or 'rehabilitative' is more common.
Synonyms
therapeutic (Very close in meaning; more common in general medical English.)
Antonyms
non-therapeutic (Describes activities that do not aim to treat a health problem.)
Collocations
remedial massage
|remedial exercise
|remedial therapy
|remedial treatment
Themes
health
|medicine
|fitness
|body
Examples
- He was referred for remedial massage to relieve his chronic back pain.
- The doctor prescribed remedial exercises to strengthen her knee after surgery.
- Remedial therapy can help correct poor posture in office workers.
- She attends a gym that specializes in remedial treatment after injuries.
- The clinic offers both relaxation and remedial massage services.
Learner examples
- My physiotherapist gave me remedial exercises for my shoulder.
- He goes to a remedial massage clinic every week.
- Remedial therapy helps her walk without pain.
- The doctor suggested remedial treatment for his back.
- These remedial exercises are for people with knee problems.
Grammar
Dictionary form
remedial
IPA
GB/ɹɪmˈidiəl/
US/ɹɪmˈidiəl/
Syllables & stress
re - medi - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (medi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: remedial
Word family
Core family
remedy
noun B1
Related words
remediation
noun C1
remediate
verb
Negative and opposite forms
irremediable
adjective
Advanced or less common
remediable
adjective
Expressions
remedial action
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl ˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
action to correct a problem
Action that is taken to fix a problem or damage and make the situation better.
Examples
- The company promised to take immediate remedial action after the safety inspection.
- Remedial action is needed to address the cracks in the foundation.
remedial class
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl klˈæs/
fixed phrase
class for students who are behind
A class that helps students who are not at the usual level in a subject to improve.
Examples
- He was placed in a remedial class for basic algebra.
- The school runs a remedial class after hours for reading and writing.
remedial classes
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl klˈæsɪz/
fixed phrase
extra support classes at school
Extra classes for students who need help to reach the normal level in school subjects.
Examples
- Many students attend remedial classes in English before starting their degree.
- The government has promised more funding for remedial classes in low-income areas.
remedial course
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl kˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
course to raise academic level
A school or college course that helps students who are not ready for normal courses to improve their skills.
Examples
- First-year students who fail the placement test must take a remedial course.
- She spent the summer in a remedial course to improve her writing.
remedial education
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
education to support low achievers
Teaching programs that help students who are behind in basic skills like reading or math.
Examples
- The report highlights the long-term benefits of investing in remedial education.
- Remedial education plays a key role in reducing dropout rates.
remedial exercise
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl ˈɛksɚsˌaɪz/
fixed phrase
formal
exercise used as treatment
Special physical exercise that a doctor or therapist gives to help your body get better.
Examples
- The physiotherapist designed a set of remedial exercises for his shoulder.
- Remedial exercise is important after knee surgery to regain strength.
remedial law
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
technical
branch of law about remedies
The part of law that explains how people can get legal help or money when their rights are broken.
Examples
- The course covers both substantive and remedial law.
- Her research focuses on developments in remedial law.
remedial legislation
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl lˌɛd͡ʒɪslˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
laws passed to correct problems
Laws that are passed to fix an unfair or harmful situation.
Examples
- Parliament introduced remedial legislation to protect whistle-blowers.
- The scandal led to remedial legislation on campaign finance.
remedial massage
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl məsˈɑʒ/
fixed phrase
massage as physical treatment
Massage that is done to treat pain or problems in the body, not just to relax.
Examples
- She booked a remedial massage for her stiff neck.
- Remedial massage can help with sports injuries and back pain.
remedial measures
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl mˈɛʒɚz/
fixed phrase
formal
steps taken to fix a problem
Different things that are done to fix a problem or reduce its bad effects.
Examples
- The board has introduced remedial measures to improve financial controls.
- Without strong remedial measures, the pollution will continue to spread.
remedial order
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
official order to fix something
An official rule from a court or authority that tells someone to fix a problem.
Examples
- The tribunal issued a remedial order against the employer.
- A remedial order required the company to improve workplace safety.
remedial plan
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl plˈæn/
fixed phrase
formal
planned strategy to fix issues
A plan that explains how a person or group will fix problems in a system or place.
Examples
- The school submitted a remedial plan to improve test scores.
- Regulators demanded a detailed remedial plan from the bank.
remedial powers
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl pˈaʊɚz/
fixed phrase
technical
authority to give legal remedies
The legal power that a court or official has to order actions that fix a wrong.
Examples
- The commission has broad remedial powers under the new act.
- The judge used her remedial powers to award extra compensation.
remedial program
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
organized catch-up education program
A planned set of classes and help for students who are behind in their school work.
Examples
- The district launched a new remedial program in reading and math.
- Parents can enroll their children in the summer remedial program for free.
remedial reading
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl ɹˈidɪŋ/
fixed phrase
reading help for weak readers
Special reading teaching for students who find reading difficult.
Examples
- He was placed in remedial reading after failing the literacy test.
- Remedial reading classes meet three times a week.
remedial repairs
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl ɹɪpˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
formal
repairs done to fix defects
Repairs that are done to fix damage or faults that already exist.
Examples
- The landlord carried out remedial repairs after the inspection.
- Remedial repairs to the roof should stop the leaking.
remedial steps
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl stˈɛps/
fixed phrase
formal
specific actions to correct something
Specific actions that someone takes to fix a problem.
Examples
- The agency outlined remedial steps to prevent a similar error in the future.
- The landlord failed to take remedial steps after the leak was reported.
remedial teaching
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl tˈit͡ʃɪŋ/
fixed phrase
teaching aimed at struggling learners
Teaching that is planned to help learners who have special problems or are behind in a subject.
Examples
- She specializes in remedial teaching for children with learning difficulties.
- Remedial teaching often involves smaller groups and more individual attention.
remedial work
1/ɹɪmˈidiəl wˈɚk/
fixed phrase
formal
repair work to fix problems
Repair work that is done to fix problems with a building, road, or other structure.
Examples
- Remedial work is being carried out on the damaged bridge.
- The council scheduled remedial work on the old water pipes.