High-level philosophical disputes aside, the word categorical continues to sometimes describe an absolute assertion, one that involves no conditions or hypotheses—for example, the statement …

The categorical imperative (German: Kategorischer Imperativ) is the central philosophical concept in the deontological moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Introduced in Kant's 1785 …

Categorical definition: without exceptions or conditions; absolute; unqualified and unconditional.. See examples of CATEGORICAL used in a sentence.

CATEGORICAL meaning: 1. without any doubt or possibility of being changed: 2. relating to a category (= a type or group…. Learn more.

Definition of categorical adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

1. Being without exception or qualification; absolute: a categorical refusal. 2. a. Of or relating to a category or categories. b. According to or using categories: a categorical arrangement of …

Oct 5, 2025 · categorical (comparative more categorical, superlative most categorical) Absolute; having no exception. quotations

Factsheet What does the word categorical mean? There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the word categorical. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

If you are categorical about something, you state your views very definitely and firmly. The player issued a categorical assurance that he wasn't leaving the club.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024 cat•e•gor•i•cal /ˌkætɪˈgɔrɪkəl, -ˈgɑr-/ also ˌcat•eˈgor•ic, adj. being without exceptions or conditions; absolute: …