rational
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.based on clear thinking and facts rather than emotions.
adj.based on or in accordance with reason or logic; exhibiting intellectual soundness.
Simple“We need to have a rational discussion about the budget instead of getting angry.”
In context“The committee attempted to reach a rational conclusion by weighing the statistical evidence against the projected long-term costs.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.having the ability to think, understand, and use logic.
adj.possessing the capacity for reason; often used to distinguish humans from other animals in philosophical contexts.
Simple“Aristotle famously described humans as rational animals.”
In context“The debate centered on whether artificial intelligence could ever truly be considered a rational agent with its own intent.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describing a number that can be shown as a simple fraction.
adj.relating to or being a number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers.
Simple“The number 0.75 is rational because it can be written as three-quarters.”
In context“The proof demonstrates that while the square root of two is irrational, its square is a rational integer.”
Antonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a number that can be expressed as one integer divided by another.
n.a rational number; any value that can be represented as a ratio of two integers where the denominator is not zero.
Simple“In this equation, x must be a rational rather than an irrational number.”
In context“The set of rationals is dense, meaning that between any two distinct rational numbers, there exists another rational.”
Synonyms
Usage appreciation rational · rational approach · rational basis
“This can be a more rational choice - fans might relate to the club's story, their culture and values, or simply like their kit.”
“Schiller explains our sensuous and rational nature in terms of “drives”: the “sensuous drive,” rooted in feeling, and the “formal drive,” grounded in reason.”
From Old French rationel, rational, from Latin rationalis (“of or belonging to reason, rational, reasonable; having a ratio”), from ratio (“reason; calculation”).
From Old French rational, from Medieval Latin rationale (“a pontifical stole, a pallium, an ornament worn over the chasuble”), neuter of Latin rationalis (“rational”), for which see the first etymology. Translation of λογεῖον (logeîon) or perhaps λόγιον (lógion, “oracle”) in the Septuagint version of Exodus 28.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.