categorical

adjective cat·e·gor·i·cal \ˌka-tə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl, -ˈgär-\

: said in a very strong, clear, and definite way

Full Definition of CATEGORICAL

: absolute, unqualified <a categorical denial>

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

See categorical defined for English-language learners

See categorical defined for kids

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

Late Latin categoricus, from Greek katēgorikos, from katēgoria

First Known Use: 1588

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

Next Word in the Dictionary: categorical imperativePrevious Word in the Dictionary: categorialAll Words Near: categorical

What made you want to look up categorical? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).