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
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.
Baldoni's legal team have said the allegations against him are "categorically false" and argued they hired a crisis public relations manager because Lively had threatened to derail the film unless her demands were met.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 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
"One can never categorically rule out participation," he said, while stressing the question was a "hypothetical" one.
From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026
Holtz emphasizes that this does not necessarily mean dinosaur ecosystems were categorically more diverse than modern mammal dominated ones.
From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026
We work away silently, until I ask, “What about things that aren’t categorically mean but just unpleasant?”
From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
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.
