WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ra•tion•al /ˈræʃənəl, ˈræʃnəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
ra•tion•al•ly, adv. See -ratio-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- based on reason; fitting in with reason;
sensible:a rational decision. - using reason:a rational negotiator.
- sane;
able to think or speak clearly and logically:The patient seems perfectly rational.
ra•tion•al•ly, adv. See -ratio-.
ra•tion•al
(rash′ə nl, rash′nl),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
ra′tion•al•ly, adv.
ra′tion•al•ness, n.
- agreeable to reason;
reasonable;
sensible:a rational plan for economic development. - having or exercising reason, sound judgment, or good sense:a calm and rational negotiator.
- being in or characterized by full possession of one's reason;
sane;
lucid:The patient appeared perfectly rational. - endowed with the faculty of reason:rational beings.
- of, pertaining to, or constituting reasoning powers:the rational faculty.
- proceeding or derived from reason or based on reasoning:a rational explanation.
- Mathematics
- capable of being expressed exactly by a ratio of two integers.
- (of a function) capable of being expressed exactly by a ratio of two polynomials.
- Poetry[Class. Pros.]capable of measurement in terms of the metrical unit or mora.
n.
- [Math.]See rational number.
- Latin ratiōnālis, equivalent. to ratiōn- (stem of ratiō) reason + -ālis -al1
- Middle English racional 1350–1400
ra′tion•al•ness, n.
- 2. intelligent, wise, judicious, sagacious, enlightened. 6. See reasonable.
- 2. stupid. 3. insane.
'rationally' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):