categorically
Americanadverb
-
without exception; unconditionally; absolutely.
Authorities have categorically denied that any violence took place.
My colleagues didn't merely dislike the music, they categorically declared it wretched.
-
by means of or with respect to a category.
If a child is not categorically eligible, the child may still qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income.
Other Word Forms
- noncategorically adverb
- uncategorically adverb
Etymology
Origin of categorically
Explanation
Categorically means in a way that's so clear that it's impossible to be confused or uncertain. When your sister categorically warns you against snooping in her diary, there's no mistaking what she means. If you categorically deny knowing anything about who ate the last chocolate chip cookie, you state clearly and directly: "I did not eat that cookie, and I have no idea who did." In fact, anything you do or say categorically is done or said unambiguously and unconditionally. This adverb comes from categorical, "asserting absolutely," and its Greek source kategorikos, "accusatory or affirmative."
Vocabulary lists containing categorically
Animal Farm
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The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
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The Gene
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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.
Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans ruled “geofence warrants are general warrants categorically prohibited by the 4th Amendment.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026
I had to accept that it’s an unusual voice to listen to, and that it is categorically harder to make myself heard.
From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026
"I can categorically tell you there's a lot of people here frantically working to improve everything for the future."
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
He did so to avoid antagonizing parts of the political and religious establishment that categorically reject hereditary or dynastic succession.
From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026
In life Allan Gindi was always inserting himself into things that categorically weren’t his business.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
