Rational

/ˈɹæʃ(ə)nəl/ · adjective

Meaning

Capable of reasoning..

Definitions by Sense

1. Capable of reasoning.
2. Logically sound; not self-contradictory or otherwise absurd.
3. (of a person or personal characteristics) Healthy or balanced intellectually; exhibiting reasonableness.
4. (mathematics, not comparable) Comprising, or expressible as, a ratio
5. (chemistry, obsolete) synonymous replacement for "condensed" in condensed formula.
6. (mathematics) A rational number: a number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers.
7. (historical) The breastplate worn by Israelite high priests.

Example Sentences

Man is a rational creature.

The utility of valid arguments is a monument to our frailty: to the fact that we are not completely rational beings.

His statements were quite rational.

Prevention for the future is now almost universally allowed to be the only rational plea for the infliction of punishment; but this, when left to the arbitrary discretion of individuals, always has been found, and always will be found, to degenerate into the exercise of revenge for the past.

rational conduct

Temperature 99.8 degrees. Pulse 104. She was quite conscious and rational at times, at others very noisy.

The [Isaac] Newton that emerges from the [unpublished] manuscripts is far from the popular image of a rational practitioner of cold and pure reason. The architect of modern science was himself not very modern. He was obsessed with alchemy.

The quotient of two rationals is again a rational.

Synonyms for rational

Antonyms for rational

Related Words

Word Forms

• more rational
• most rational
• rationall
• rationals

Usage Notes

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