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logical

American  
[loj-i-kuhl] / ˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl /

adjective

  1. according to or agreeing with the principles of logic.

    a logical inference.

    Synonyms:
    valid
    Antonyms:
    unreasonable
  2. reasoning in accordance with the principles of logic, as a person or the mind.

    logical thinking.

    Antonyms:
    unreasonable
  3. reasonable; to be expected.

    War was the logical consequence of such threats.

    Synonyms:
    valid
    Antonyms:
    unreasonable
  4. of or relating to logic.


logical British  
/ ˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

adjective

  1. relating to, used in, or characteristic of logic

  2. using, according to, or deduced from the principles of logic

    a logical conclusion

  3. capable of or characterized by clear or valid reasoning

  4. reasonable or necessary because of facts, events, etc

    the logical candidate

  5. computing of, performed by, used in, or relating to the logic circuits in a computer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing logical

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.

See Examples For:

“It’s on its side and the mirror image. So it runs backwards to what would be sort of a logical assumption of its threading pattern.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 20, 2026

Scientists had suspected that this network would play an important role in logical reasoning.

From Science Daily Aug. 11, 2026

I sometimes wonder if someone more logical or responsible wouldn’t need to brain hack their way to better money habits.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 7, 2026

It doesn’t seem like a good, logical thing to do for either one of them.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 6, 2026

Relations of ideas are purely logical; our knowledge of contingent matters, of matters of fact, depends on evidence: testimony, experience, documents.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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