categorical

cat·e·gor·i·cal

adjective \ˌka-tə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl, -ˈgär-\

Definition of CATEGORICAL

1

: absolute, unqualified <a categorical denial>

2

a : of, relating to, or constituting a category

b : involving, according with, or considered with respect to specific categories

— cat·e·gor·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Variants of CATEGORICAL

cat·e·gor·i·cal also cat·e·gor·ic \-ik\

Examples of CATEGORICAL

1. He issued a categorical denial about his involvement in the deal.
2. <a categorical denial of the rumors that the celebrities were planning to get married>

Origin of CATEGORICAL

Late Latin categoricus, from Greek katēgorikos, from katēgoria

First Known Use: 1588

Related to CATEGORICAL

Synonyms

all-out, arrant, blank, blooming [chiefly British], bodacious [Southern & Midland], absolute (also categoric), clean, complete, consummate, cotton-picking, crashing, damn, damned, dead, deadly, definite, downright, dreadful, fair, flat, flat-out, out-and-out, outright, perfect, plumb, profound, pure, rank, regular, sheer, simple, stark, stone, straight-out, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, unadulterated, unalloyed, unconditional, unmitigated, unqualified, utter, very

Related Words

authentic, classic, genuine, real, veritable; constant, endless, eternal, perpetual, undying, unremitting; extreme, unrestricted; confirmed, habitual, hopeless, inveterate; extraordinary, frightful, horrible, huge, main, superlative, supreme, surpassing, terrible, terrific

Near Antonyms

doubtful, dubious, equivocal, qualified, questionable, restricted, uncertain

Rhymes with CATEGORICAL

ahistorical, allegorical, art historical, oratorical