categorical

adjective

cat·​e·​gor·​i·​cal ˌka-tə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl 

-ˈgär-

variants or less commonly categoric

ˌka-tə-ˈgȯr-ik 

-ˈgär-

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

a categorical system for classifying books

categorically

ˌka-tə-ˈgȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈgär-

adverb

Did you know?

The ancestor of categorical and category has been important in logic and philosophy since the days of Aristotle. Both English words derive from Greek katēgoria, which Aristotle used to name the 10 fundamental classes (also called "predications" or "assertions") of terms, things, or ideas into which he felt human knowledge could be organized. Ironically, although those categories and things categorical are supposed to be absolute and fundamental, philosophers have long argued about the number and type of categories that exist and their role in understanding the world. High-level philosophical disputes aside, the word categorical continues to sometimes describe an absolute assertion, one that involves no conditions or hypotheses—for example, the statement "all humans are mortal."

Synonyms

• absolute
• all-out
• arrant
• blank
• blooming [chiefly British]
• bodacious [Southern & Midland]
• clean
• complete
• consummate
• 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

Examples of categorical in a Sentence

He issued a categorical denial about his involvement in the deal.

a categorical denial of the rumors that the celebrities were planning to get married

Recent Examples on the Web

In December, the president granted categorical pardons to thousands convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana in Washington, D.C., and on federal lands. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, others had categorical deviations turning beauty into a new-age notion. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin categoricus, from Greek katēgorikos, from katēgoria — see category

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing categorical

• categorical imperative

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Kids Definition

categorical

adjective

cat·​e·​gor·​i·​cal ˌkat-ə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl 

-gär-

variants also categoric

-ik 

1

: not restricted or limited in any way : absolute

a categorical denial

2

: of, relating to, or being a category

categorically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb