Rad is slang for really cool: people use it for a gig, a handmade object, an unexpected find. We found a rad little record shop means we found a great little shop. It's casual, for conversation and chat. In writing and essays: excellent or impressive.
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be rad; a rad + noun; so rad / such a rad + noun
- That handmade lamp is rad.
- We found a rad little record shop behind the station.
- It was such a rad gig that we stayed until the very end.
What changed
First versionIt was so a rad gig that we stayed until the very end.
RevisionIt was such a rad gig that we stayed until the very end.
So is the usual word for intensity: so cool, so rad. That's why so a rad gig slips out. But before a noun with a you need such: such a rad gig. So works when there's no noun: the gig was so rad.
Cool is the calm, everyday word. Rad is stronger, really cool. Excellent and impressive are the neutral choices when slang doesn't fit.
Your turn
The band was ___ rad that we bought tickets for the next show.
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so — After the gap there's only the adjective rad, with no noun, so it's so rad. Such would need a noun: such a rad band.
Praise a gig, a place or an unusual object in a message to a friend.
That is such a rad poster; the colours look even better in daylight.
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