categorical
Americanadjective
-
without exceptions or conditions; absolute; unqualified and unconditional.
a categorical denial.
-
Logic.
-
(of a proposition) analyzable into a subject and an attribute related by a copula, as in the proposition “All humans are mortal.”
-
(of a syllogism) having categorical propositions as premises.
-
-
of, relating to, or in a category.
adjective
-
unqualified; positive; unconditional
a categorical statement
-
relating to or included in a category
-
logic another word for categorial
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of categorical
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin catēgoric(us) (from Greek katēgorikós; see category, -ic) + -al 1
Explanation
If someone accuses you of stealing their lunch and you give a categorical denial, it means that you absolutely deny having anything to do with the theft. Categorical means absolute, unqualified, unconditional. If you ask someone to marry you and she says maybe, you might be able to persuade her. If it's no, you might still have a chance. But if she gives you a categorical no, she will never change her mind. Less often, categorical is used to describe something that is part of a certain category or group. A Doberman at the Westminster Dog Show might be the categorical winner, meaning it is the best Doberman but not the winner of the show.
Vocabulary lists containing categorical
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Night
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Break It Down: Cata
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The campaign’s statement was followed hours later by a categorical denial from the congressman.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
Trying to look manly and tough when your entire regime, from the top on down, consists of shifty characters with a wide range of obvious personality disorders might seem like a categorical error.
From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026
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 • Jan. 31, 2026
Against that background, the states in both cases framed the dispute at Tuesday’s oral arguments as one about categorical sex distinctions, not transgender status.
From Slate • Jan. 14, 2026
The doctor, a great Jewish doctor, a prisoner like ourselves, was categorical: “We have to operate! If we wait, the toes and perhaps the leg will have to be amputated.”
From "Night" by Elie Wiesel
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.
