rational
/ˈræʃ.ən.əl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
based on clear thinking and good reasons, not on strong feelings. A rational choice is sensible and well thought out.
- She gave a rational explanation.
- Try to make a rational decision.
- His answer sounded rational to me.
Adinary Nuance
Rational is close to practical, sensible, and logical, but it stresses reasoned thinking. Use rational when you want to show that a decision or idea is based on clear reasons, not emotion. Practical focuses more on what works in real life, while logical focuses more on the reasoning itself.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hợp lý
- Spanish
- racional
- Chinese
- 理性的
- Japanese
- 合理的な
- Korean
- 합리적인
Etymology
From Latin rationalis, from ratio meaning “reason.” It entered English in the late Middle English period.
Common phrases
a rational decisiona rational explanationa rational approachrational thinking
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is rational formal or informal?
- It is neutral to slightly formal, and common in academic and business English.
- What is the difference between rational and logical?
- Rational means based on reason. Logical means arranged in a clear, correct way.
- Can I use rational for people?
- Yes. It can describe a person who thinks calmly and reasonably.
- Is rational a common IELTS word?
- Yes. It appears often in academic writing and spoken answers about decisions and ideas.