causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl 

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 bonds

—G. A. Miller

4

: arising from a cause

a causal development

causally

ˈkȯ-zə-lē 

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

But Black mothers are far more likely to die from complications of childbirth than other races, a multi-causal issue attributed to systemic racism, implicit biases and care disparities. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

His reckless decision to escalate the aggression and number of immigration agents is a causal factor, regardless of the outcome of an investigation into this tragic death. —Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

But to prove this was a causal relationship and not just a correlation, Cremer and her team took it a step further by designing an experiment. —Arundathi Nair, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026

There is a reason for this causal relationship. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for causal

• clausal
• nozzle
• tahsil
• menopausal
• postmenopausal
• premenopausal

Kids Definition

causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl 

: of, relating to, or being a cause

Legal Definition

causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl 

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 accident

—National Law Journal

a causal link exists between the deceptive act and the injury

—National Law Journal

3

: arising from a cause