causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl How to pronounce causal (audio)
1
: expressing or indicating cause : causative
a causal clause introduced by since
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a cause
the causal agent of a disease
3
: involving causation or a cause : marked by cause and effect
a causal link
evidence suggests that there is a strong causal relationship between an individual's experiences with his parents and his later capacity to make affectional bondsG. A. Miller
4
: arising from a cause
a causal development
causally adverb

Examples of causal in a Sentence

No causal connection between the events was found. There is a causal link between poverty and crime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Never confuse an accounting identity with a causal economic relationship. Alexander William Salter, National Review, 9 May 2025 Economists can isolate the causal impact of misinformation broadcasts on death rates during a genocide. Sander Van Der Linden, Time, 6 May 2025 And perhaps most notably, past remarks of Kennedy seem to question a causal relationship between HIV and AIDS. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 Importantly, the researchers stress that their study identifies correlational patterns in personality and psychopathology, rather than causal patterns. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for causal

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin causālis, from Latin causa cause entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of causal was circa 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Causal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/causal. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

causal

adjective
caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl How to pronounce causal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a cause

Legal Definition

causal

adjective
caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl How to pronounce causal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a cause
causal negligence
2
: involving causation or a cause
no causal relationship between driving without insurance and the accidentNational Law Journal
a causal link exists between the deceptive act and the injuryNational Law Journal
3
: arising from a cause

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