- 1(of behavior, ideas, etc.) based on reason rather than emotions a rational argument/choice/decision rational analysis/thought There is no rational explanation for his actions.
Want to learn more?
Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
- 2(of a person) able to think clearly and make decisions based on reason rather than emotions synonym reasonable No rational person would ever behave like that. opposite irrational
NAmE//ˌræʃəˈnælət̮i//
noun [uncountable] the rationality of his argument NAmE//ˈræʃənəli//
adverb to act/behave/think rationally She argued her case calmly and rationally.See rational in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: rational