Rational meaning

răsh'ə-nəl
Having or exercising the ability to reason.
adjective
6
2
Consistent with or based on reason or good judgment; logical or sensible.

Rational decisions.

adjective
3
1
The definition of rational is something that makes sense or that could be based in fact or someone who behaves and thinks logically.

An example of rational is the provable idea of gravity.

An example of rational is a person who apologizes after an argument when he knows he was at fault.

adjective
1
2
Capable of being expressed as a quotient of integers.
adjective
1
2
Of, based on, or derived from reasoning.

Rational powers.

adjective
1
2
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Able to reason; reasoning; in possession of one's reason or sanity.
adjective
1
2
Showing reason; not foolish or silly; sensible.

A rational argument.

adjective
1
2
A rational number.
noun
1
3
Having or exercising the ability to reason.
adjective
0
2
Consistent with or based on reason or good judgment; logical or sensible.

Rational decisions.

adjective
0
2
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Capable of reasoning.

Man is a rational creature.

adjective
0
2
Logically sound; not contradictory or otherwise absurd.

His statements were quite rational.

adjective
0
2
(of a person or personal characteristics) Healthy or balanced intellectually; exhibiting reasonableness.

Rational conduct.

adjective
0
2
(mathematics, arithmetic, number theory, not comparable) Of a number, capable of being expressed as the ratio of two integers.

Is a rational number, but √2 is an irrational number.

adjective
0
2
(mathematics, arithmetic, not comparable) Of an algebraic expression, capable of being expressed as the ratio of two polynomials.
adjective
0
2
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(chemistry) Expressing the type, structure, relations, and reactions of a compound; graphic; said of formulae.
adjective
0
2
(mathematics) A rational number: a number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers.

The quotient of two rationals is again a rational.

noun
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2
A rational being.

noun
0
2
Of sound mind; sane.

Wondered if the eccentric neighbor was not completely rational.

adjective
0
3

Origin of rational

  • Middle English racional from Old French racionel from Latin ratiōnālis from ratiō ratiōn- reason reason
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • 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.
    From Wiktionary
  • From Old French rationel, rational, from Latin rationalis (“of or belonging to reason, rational, reasonable"), from ratio (“reason")
    From Wiktionary

Rational Sentence Examples

  • The gut wrenching pain left him unable to process any rational thought.

  • These physical discomforts rendered rational thought and remembrance near impossible.

  • Centuple or " rational " calorie.

  • Once the shock wore off, rational thinking set in and he calmed down, feeling this might be an advantage.

  • During 1906 a more rational view of the value of immigration was adopted by the various state governments and by the federal government, and immigration to Australia is now systematically encouraged.

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Also Mentioned In

Words near rational in the Dictionary