clinic - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
clinic Word Meanings
- a place for medical treatment
- a facility for outpatient care
- a group of specialists working together
clinic Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
clinic Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈklɪn.ɪk/
US
/ˈklɪnɪk/
clinic Word Etymology
clinic: clin- = bend + -ic (relating to). Origin: Greek -> Latin -> English. Imagine a medical practitioner bending over a patient, examining and pointing to the problem.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I push open the clinic door and step into the soft hum of the waiting area. A nurse shifts a clipboard on the counter as I move closer to the desk, set my bag down, and straighten my back. The room keeps a quiet rhythm—footsteps, chairs, a distant intercom—as I adjust my breath and settle into the moment. When a name is called, the scene feels practical and human: a place where care happens and I keep stepping forward toward it.
Real Context
A clinic is a medical facility that provides care and treatment, typically focused on outpatient services rather than hospital inpatient care. It can be a small, private practice or part of a larger hospital system, often emphasizing quicker visits, preventive services, and specialized outpatient care. Clinicians in clinics may work as a team, but the setting is usually smaller and less intensive than a hospital. Learners should note that clinic is distinct from hospital and from doctor’s office: clinics are for regular, non-emergency care and often offer convenient access. Common collocations include clinic hours, go to the clinic for a check-up, and a busy clinic schedule.
Usage Reminders
- Remember the everyday sense of clinic as a non-emergency medical facility
- Use clinic for outpatient care, not for hospital admissions
- Pair with phrases like clinic hours and visit the clinic for a check-up
- Distinguish clinic from doctor’s office and from hospital
- Practice pronunciation: /ˈklɪnɪk/
- Learn common collocations such as clinic staff and clinic appointment
Common Misconceptions
- It always means a hospital or is the same as hospital.
- Clinic and doctor’s office are completely interchangeable.
- A clinic cannot have multiple specialists working together.
- Clinics are only for adults, not for children.
- All clinics are large, expensive, and part of a hospital system.
Thinking Differences
The concept of clinic in English emphasizes outpatient care and practical, often affordable access, which may differ from cultures that use hospital-centric language; learners might assume clinics are rare or only for minor issues.
Learning Tips
- Practice the pronunciation: /ˈklɪnɪk/
- Remember it is outpatient, not hospital care
- Learn collocations: clinic hours, clinic appointment
- Compare with hospital and doctor’s office in examples
- Use real-life contexts: walk-in clinic, pediatric clinic
- Create mini glossaries of related terms like outpatient, inquiry form
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'clinic'?
A.Restaurant
B.Medical facility
C.School
D.Office
Step 2: Usage
In which context would you use the word 'clinic'?
A.Talking about a doctor's appointment
B.Buying groceries
C.Playing sports
D.Watching a movie
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'clinic'?
A.Library
B.Beach
C.Gym
D.Hospital
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of a 'clinic'?
A.Factory
B.Bar
C.Farm
D.Spa
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give an example of a real-life situation where you might visit a clinic?
A.Shopping for clothes
B.Going to a concert
C.Getting a flu shot
D.Walking in the park
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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