Word
causal
US/ˈkɔzəɫ/
UK/kˈɔːsəl/
Definition
adj. describing a direct link between an action and its result. If one thing causes another, that link is causal.
adj. relating to or determined by a cause; describing the relationship between an event and the factor that produced it. Common in academic and scientific contexts.
Examples
“The report found a causal link between sugar and energy.”
“Researchers struggled to prove a causal connection between the drug and the side effects.”
“While the correlation was strong, establishing a causal mechanism required rigorous experimental controls to rule out confounding variables.”
Examples
simple
“The report found a causal link between sugar and energy.”
contextual
“Researchers struggled to prove a causal connection between the drug and the side effects.”
complex
“While the correlation was strong, establishing a causal mechanism required rigorous experimental controls to rule out confounding variables.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “causal” in context.
Adjective
01. causal effect
“Researchers are trying to determine the causal effect of the new policy on economic growth.”
adj + noun
02. causal explanation
“The scientist provided a causal explanation for the sudden shift in the planet's climate.”
adj + noun
03. causal factor
“Poor nutrition is often cited as a primary causal factor in the development of the disease.”
adj + noun
04. causal inference
“Making a causal inference requires more than just observing a correlation between two variables.”
adj + noun
05. causal link
“The study established a clear causal link between smoking and lung cancer.”
adj + noun
06. causal relation
“It is difficult to prove a causal relation between social media use and decreased attention spans.”
adj + noun
07. causal relationship
“There is a direct causal relationship between the amount of sunlight and plant growth rates.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“Researchers can use these genetic differences to assess whether evidence supports a causal relationship between a particular risk factor and a health outcome.” “So while there is a causal connection between the two overall, the connection is not always strong.” Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin causalis, from Latin causa (“cause”), equivalent to cause + -al, see cause.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/causal