categorical

adjective

cat·​e·​gor·​i·​cal ˌka-tə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl How to pronounce categorical (audio)
-ˈgär-
variants or less commonly categoric
1
: absolute, unqualified
a categorical denial
2
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a category
b
: involving, according with, or considered with respect to specific categories
a categorical system for classifying books
categorically adverb

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The ancestor of categorical and category has been important in logic and philosophy since the days of Aristotle. Both English words derive from Greek katēgoria, which Aristotle used to name the 10 fundamental classes (also called "predications" or "assertions") of terms, things, or ideas into which he felt human knowledge could be organized. Ironically, although those categories and things categorical are supposed to be absolute and fundamental, philosophers have long argued about the number and type of categories that exist and their role in understanding the world. High-level philosophical disputes aside, the word categorical continues to sometimes describe an absolute assertion, one that involves no conditions or hypotheses—for example, the statement "all humans are mortal."

Examples of categorical in a Sentence

He issued a categorical denial about his involvement in the deal. a categorical denial of the rumors that the celebrities were planning to get married
Recent Examples on the Web Such reasoning often derives from depression rather than psychosis, though some clinicians are reluctant to draw a categorical distinction. Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 That would effectively give geothermal some parity with oil and gas, which already gets similar categorical exclusions. Daniel Moore, Axios, 25 Sep. 2024 Unlike the Nobel Prizes, which annually award research in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences, the Ig Nobels have no categorical constraints. Byhannah Richter, science.org, 13 Sep. 2024 With every categorical increase in egg consumption, the likelihood of a woman experiencing cognitive decline decreased by 0.1. Christina Manian, Health, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for categorical 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'categorical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin categoricus, from Greek katēgorikos, from katēgoria — see category

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of categorical was in 1588

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Dictionary Entries Near categorical

Cite this Entry

“Categorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/categorical. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

categorical

adjective
cat·​e·​gor·​i·​cal ˌkat-ə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl How to pronounce categorical (audio)
-gär-
variants also categoric
1
: not restricted or limited in any way : absolute
a categorical denial
2
: of, relating to, or being a category
categorically adverb

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