categorical

American  

[kat-i-gawr-i-kuhl, -gor-] / ˌkæt ɪˈgɔr ɪ kəl, -ˈgɒr- /

Also categoric

adjective

1. without exceptions or conditions; absolute; unqualified and unconditional.

   a categorical denial.

   Synonyms:

   downright, flat, positive

2. Logic.

   1. (of a proposition) analyzable into a subject and an attribute related by a copula, as in the proposition “All humans are mortal.”

   2. (of a syllogism) having categorical propositions as premises.

3. of, relating to, or in a category.

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categorical British  

/ ˌkætɪˈɡɒrɪkəl /

adjective

1. unqualified; positive; unconditional

   a categorical statement

2. relating to or included in a category

3. logic another word for categorial

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Other Word Forms

• categorically adverb
• categoricalness noun
• noncategorical adjective
• noncategoricalness noun
• uncategorical adjective
• uncategoricalness noun

Etymology

Origin of categorical

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin catēgoric(us) (from Greek katēgorikós; category, -ic ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

He said the committee was aware Royal Mail has previously denied it prioritises parcels, but it wanted "categorical assurance".

From BBC

Long existing beyond the boundaries of race, nationhood and categorical art movements, Lam produced a range of work, including graphic design, book illustrations, large Jackson Pollock-inspired abstractions, and expressionistic ceramics.

From The Wall Street Journal

But as it stands that remains a feeling - circumstantial evidence at best - and the first minister's denials were categorical.

From BBC

The reported comments are more categorical than previous remarks he has made about Rayner, who was also deputy Labour leader and housing secretary.

From BBC

"The difference between humans and chimpanzees isn't a categorical leap. It's more like a continuum," Sanford said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• absolute
• clear-cut
• definite
• definitive
• emphatic
• forthright
• unambiguous
• unequivocal