logical
Americanadjective
-
according to or agreeing with the principles of logic.
a logical inference.
- Synonyms:
- valid
- Antonyms:
- unreasonable
-
reasoning in accordance with the principles of logic, as a person or the mind.
logical thinking.
- Antonyms:
- unreasonable
-
reasonable; to be expected.
War was the logical consequence of such threats.
- Synonyms:
- valid
- Antonyms:
- unreasonable
-
of or relating to logic.
adjective
-
relating to, used in, or characteristic of logic
-
using, according to, or deduced from the principles of logic
a logical conclusion
-
capable of or characterized by clear or valid reasoning
-
reasonable or necessary because of facts, events, etc
the logical candidate
-
computing of, performed by, used in, or relating to the logic circuits in a computer
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
logicallyadverb
-
overlogicalitynoun
-
prelogicaladjective
-
hyperlogicalitynoun
-
logicalitynoun
-
logicalnessnoun
-
nonlogicaladjective
-
hyperlogicaladjective
-
overlogicaladjective
-
unlogicaladjective
-
overlogicalnessnoun
-
superlogicalitynoun
-
nonlogicalnessnoun
-
quasi-logicaladjective
-
superlogicaladjective
-
nonlogicalitynoun
-
hyperlogicalnessnoun
Etymology
Origin of logical
From the Medieval Latin word logicālis, dating back to 1490–1500; see logic, -al 1
Explanation
Logical describes something that comes from clear reasoning. Using a fire extinguisher to put it out a fire is a logical step. Trying to put it out with gasoline is not. The adjective logical is rooted in the Greek word logos, which means "reason, idea, or word." So calling something logical means it's based on reason and sound ideas — in other words, thought out with mathematical precision and removed from emotion. Sounds strict and boring, but it's the orderliness and consistency of logic that helps you write a great argument or figure out how to solve a problem.
Vocabulary lists containing logical
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Twelve Angry Men
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With 48 nations competing for the first time in World Cup history, distributing matches across three countries was the logical move.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
Then there is the notion of the “rational actor,” with logical or determinable preferences.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
The market hasn’t fully priced the next logical step: Big Tech acquiring regulated utilities outright.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
As logical as this might seem at first blush, it could ultimately prove to be misguided, according to one top Wall Street strategist.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
Would it not be logical to assume that such a device could only have been manufactured by a watchmaker?
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
