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 come from the Greek word katēgoria, which Aristotle used to name the ten 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 the role they play in our understanding of 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 "hot dogs are sandwiches all humans are mortal."

Synonyms of categorical

• unconditional
• absolute
• sheer
• simple
• utter
• definite
• total
• complete
• pure

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

For now, video officials will be limited to categorical errors, such as a second caution given to a player for handball when replays prove the ball hit them in the face. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

By 2024, just two-thirds of districts’ funding came from the foundation allowance; the rest came mostly from state categorical grants. — Jason Burns, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026

Sensitive capability can come with tighter contractual and technical controls instead of a categorical no. — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

In the early days of alcohol taxation, there was less variation in alcohol categories and clearer distinctions between drinks, so the categorical tax approach made more sense. — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

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