Word
categorical
Phoneticscat·e·gor·i·cal
US/ˌkætəˈɡɑɹɪkəɫ/
UK/kˌætɪɡˈɒɹɪkəl/
Definition
adj. describing something that is completely certain or absolute. You use this to say that there is no doubt or room for different opinions.
adj. expressing a firm, absolute, or unconditional statement; not admitting of exceptions or alternatives. Often used to describe a statement or a classification that is clear and definitive.
Examples
“The doctor gave a categorical answer to the patient's question.”
“The committee issued a categorical statement that the new policy would not be changed during the current year.”
“The witness provided a categorical denial of the allegations, leaving no room for the defense to argue that he had been present at the scene.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor gave a categorical answer to the patient's question.”
contextual
“The committee issued a categorical statement that the new policy would not be changed during the current year.”
complex
“The witness provided a categorical denial of the allegations, leaving no room for the defense to argue that he had been present at the scene.”
Real-World Examples
“The lamenting tone of the title – and indeed of the text at large – reflects a work mourning seeming certainties or easy categorical distinctions.” Word family
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/categorical