rationalra‧tion‧al /ˈræʃənəl/ ●●○ AWL adjective 
Parents need to be fully informed so they can make a rational decision. I’m sure there’s a rational explanation for all this. It’s impossible to have a rational conversation with him.2a rational person is able to think calmly and sensibly OPP irrational: Culley was quite rational at the time of her baby’s death.3formal able to make sensible judgments: Man is a rational animal.—rationally adverb: We were too shocked to think rationally.—rationality /ˌræʃəˈnæləlti/ noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONSnounsa rational explanation· I told myself that there must be some simple, rational explanation.a rational decision/choice· The patient was incapable of making a rational decision.a rational approach· We must adopt a rational approach when dealing with this problem.a rational analysis· Emotions are running so high that any rational analysis of the situation is difficult.rational thought· Babies were thought to be incapable of rational thought.rational argument· Nuclear weapons are so absurd that rational argument about their use is scarcely possible.a rational conversation/discussion· Let's all calm down and have a rational discussion.adverbsperfectly rational· I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation.
WORD ORIGINrational
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin rationalis, from ratio; ➔ RATIOEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- rational behavior
- Education helps us to make rational decisions.
- How can a rational man be taken in by these arguments?
- Let's try and discuss this like two rational human beings.
- Many of the patients have long histories of drug abuse, and they're not always rational.
- No rational person would have agreed to those terms.
- People's behaviour isn't always purely rational.
- Taking action to defend yourself is a completely rational reaction if you're being attacked.
- There appears to be no rational motive for the attack.
- There is no rational explanation for Melanie Hawkin's disappearance.
- There must be some rational explanation for this apparently bizarre phenomenon.
- We're looking for someone with a rational approach to dealing with problems.
- Consequently rational members of organizations are more likely to stay loyal and inactive than to be vocal participants.
- Exactly how a rational person will solve it we shall show later on.
- From a rational choice perspective, you would be rather foolish to vote in a presidential election.
- It should be seen as seven functional stages of the budgetary process which take place in a political or rational context.
- Should they, then, be branded as spurious designators and banished from rational discourse?
- Such beliefs serve to explain the system to its members: they make social inequality appear rational and reasonable.
- The talk was lively and, compared to Morrison's drivel, refreshingly rational.
Longman Language Activatorable to think in a logical way
someone who is logical is good at thinking in a very careful, clear, and organized way: · Joe's very sharp and logical when it comes to money matters.· She's a clear and logical thinker.· Men often accuse women of not being logical.
someone who is rational is able to think clearly and logically without letting their emotions influence their decision or opinions: · How can a rational man be taken in by these arguments?· Let's try and discuss this like two rational human beings.
ideas that are logical ideas, decisions etc that are logical are based on a series of facts or ideas connected in a correct and intelligent way: · Your essay ought to take the form of a logical argument.· There is no logical reason for teaching boys and girls separately.take something to its logical conclusion: · If you took the anti-war arguments to their logical conclusion, you would destroy all weapons.it is logical to do something: · If they did not leave until yesterday, then it is logical to assume that they will arrive some time tomorrow.
reasons, ideas, advice etc that are sound are logical and sensible, and it is easy to agree with them or believe that they are right: · The company offers sound financial advice to individuals and businesses.· Is recycling glass a sound idea?· There is no sound reason for the closure of this factory.
an idea, decision or plan that makes sense is logical and easy to understand: · His arguments seem to make sense.it makes sense for something to happen: · It would make sense for the parents to be involved in this discussion.
a way of thinking, explanation, idea etc that is rational is very logical and is based on clear practical or scientific reasons, rather than on your feelings or wishes: · We're looking for someone with a rational approach to dealing with problems.· There must be some rational explanation for this apparently bizarre phenomenon.· There appears to be no rational motive for the attack.
something that is reasonable seems to be logical and likely to be true because of what you know of the situation: · It is a reasonable assumption that she knew him well, as she had the keys to his house.· Given that the patient smokes 50 cigarettes a day, it would be reasonable to assume there is some lung damage.
a reasoned way of thinking about something is logical and has been thought about very carefully: · We must have an informed and reasoned debate of the moral issues involved.· It became clear that calm, reasoned arguments were not working in this volatile situation.
a well-thought-out plan or way of doing something is carefully and logically planned: · Before we can apply for funding, we must have strong, well-thought-out proposals.· a well-thought-out strategy
words, thoughts or ideas that are coherent are arranged in an order that makes them easy to understand: · He couldn't give a coherent account of what he'd been doing that night.· His book contains a coherent argument in favour of economic change.
informal if a piece of writing or an explanation hangs together , it is easy to understand because its parts are connected in a way that seems natural and logical: · Her story doesn't hang together very well.
informal if a set of facts add up , they are logically connected so they provide a reasonable explanation of a situation: · I can see now that George was planning this all along - it all adds up.
decisions/plans/ideas/actions a sensible decision, idea, plan etc is likely to have good results because it is based on good, practical reasons: · He gave me some very sensible advice.· If anyone has any sensible suggestions as to how to deal with this, please let me know.it is sensible to do something: · It would have been more sensible to save the money than to spend it all on clothes.the sensible thing to do (=used to give advice): · The sensible thing to do would be to rest until you feel better.
especially spoken if something makes sense , it seems a very sensible thing to do: · There are parts of the plan that simply don't make sense.it makes sense (for somebody) to do something: · It made sense for Sam to live nearer the college.· It may not make sense to rebuild the houses damaged by the floods.
especially spoken to seem to be the right and sensible thing to do: · Yes, I think a short meeting this afternoon would be a good idea.· "Should I phone him?" "I don't think that's a good idea."it's a good idea to do something: · It's a good idea to tell a friend if you are going on a date with someone you don't know well.
a reasonable idea, request, action etc seems sensible and fair, and you can understand the reasons for it: · I thought her request for more information was reasonable, but it was refused.· I'll go along with any reasonable plan.it is reasonable to assume/believe/suppose: · It's reasonable to assume that most prices will go up again.
based on facts and intelligent thinking, and not influenced by feelings or the imagination: · Education helps us to make rational decisions.· People's behaviour isn't always purely rational.
based on a good understanding of what is or is not possible: · The city authorities are trying to work out a practical solution to the problem of homelessness.· Starting my own business isn't a very realistic idea at the moment.· If you want to sell your home, be realistic about the price.
based on facts and what is likely to really succeed, but not always considering other things such as people's feelings, or attempting anything more exciting or risky: · Pragmatic considerations led the government to abandon pure Marxist policies.· We need a pragmatic approach to sex education in schools.
a logical action or decision seems to be clearly the right thing to do, because it is based on thinking intelligently about all the facts of a situation, and not based on feelings or emotions: · As I wanted to travel to other countries, studying languages was the logical choice.· This is the logical place to build a new airport.· It seemed logical to start by visiting the scene of the crime.
a wise decision or action is based on good judgement and on your experience of life: · "I've decided to apply for that job." "I think that's a very wise decision."· a wise investmentit is wise (for somebody) to do something: · He thought it might be wise not to tell her what had happened.· Do you think it's wise for him to travel alone?
according to what is generally accepted as being sensible and reasonable and no more: · Children should, within reason, be able to experiment with many different activities.· Within reason, the city does what it can to prevent traffic accidents.
people someone who is sensible is unlikely to do anything stupid, because they judge situations well and make good decisions: · Laura's a pretty sensible girl. I don't think she'd talk to strangers.· He's one of the few sensible people on the council.be sensible spoken: · Be sensible - you can't go out without a coat in this weather.sensible about: · People are far more sensible about what and how much they drink these days.
someone who is reasonable makes sensible decisions that are fair to everyone: · She's usually very reasonable as a boss, but now and again her temper flares up.· Let's try and discuss this in a calm and reasonable way.be reasonable spoken: · Be reasonable, Paul - I'm only trying to help.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to do what they should do and to think about the results of their actions: · We aim to educate our children to become socially responsible citizens.· I'm a responsible adult. I can make my own choices.
a child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible way, as you would expect an older person to behave: · She's very mature for her age.· After two years of college, the students have a much more mature attitude.
if someone is rational , their actions are based on a clear understanding of the facts of a situation, and are not influenced by their feelings or imagination: · Taking action to defend yourself is a completely rational reaction if you're being attacked.· Many of the patients have long histories of drug abuse, and they're not always rational.
having the ability to understand situations and to know what is or is not possible: · She's a practical manager who realizes that a happy workforce is also a productive one.· The people of this country need to be more realistic - you can't have lower taxes as well as higher spending on health and pensions.· She is a tough, pragmatic, intuitive leader.
direct and dealing with things in a practical way, without wasting time on things that do not matter: · Mathews is a no-nonsense veteran of the police department.· Jason, with his no-nonsense approach, has been an asset to the project.
someone who is down-to-earth is practical and honest, and does not think they are more important, more intelligent etc than other people: · She's sophisticated, but also practical and down-to-earth.· People are surprised by what an unpretentious, down-to-earth guy he really is.
especially spoken if someone talks sense , they express sensible ideas or opinions that you agree with: · Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
British /have your head screwed on right American use this about someone who will always behave sensibly in a difficult or confusing situation: · Don't worry about Sheila. She's got her head screwed on.· Anyone who can raise three such normal kids in Hollywood must have their head screwed on right.
able to think clearly and likely to behave in a sensible way, especially when other people are not being sensible: · I don't think any sane person would take his threats seriously.· It was a relief to hear one sane voice among all the shouting and hysteria.keep somebody sane: · Exercise keeps me sane. If I didn't exercise, the stress would get to me.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYnouns a story about alien beings who invade Earth
· I told myself that there must be some simple, rational explanation.
· The patient was incapable of making a rational decision.
· We must adopt a rational approach when dealing with this problem.
· Emotions are running so high that any rational analysis of the situation is difficult.
· Babies were thought to be incapable of rational thought.
· Nuclear weapons are so absurd that rational argument about their use is scarcely possible.
· Let's all calm down and have a rational discussion.
adverbs· I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a story about alien beings who invade Earth (=one that is based on facts)· Physics finally gave us a rational explanation for the atom’s strange behaviour.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Conventional histories of penology tend to represent these developments in penal thought and practice as rational, progressive, scientific and humane.· The play is more an act of self-immolation masquerading as rational justification.· Statement E: Racism as rational self interest I think that's absolute nonsense.· The decision was as rational a move as every other move in Jackie's career.
· It was often more rational for the cattle owner to accept the loss, or to take a different course of action.· It pays lip service to local choices but provides no specific means to make them more rational and efficient.· Now would be the time to put the debate on a more rational and realistic basis.· Elsewhere, the arguments may seem more rational but are equally zealous.· It is more prudent, more rational and more natural to use organic materials - manures.· She had a more rational thought.· But I was thinking that the white man's beliefs are no more rational than the red man's.· In many ways the underworld of heterosexuality seems no more rational than the free-for-all of homosexual life.
· The words people use are too often interpreted literally to signify little more than their immediate and most rational translation.· The most rational therapy in these conditions is calcium supplementation and vitamin D replacement.· Hardly the moment when a man is at his most rational.
· He was still perfectly rational if you analysed his thought-processes.· It is perfectly rational for individual banks to want to foreclose early on companies having trouble repaying their loans.· But they are perfectly rational to the people who were interviewed and to their families.· At the time he was perfectly rational - he didn't feel schizoid - he was playing a part.
NOUN· Because of this Barro treats as the best prediction that could be made by rational agents of the value of.· What will the rational agent do?· In it we know ourselves to be rational agents detached from spontaneity, judging on objective grounds what will serve our ends.· There is a second condition required for a rational agent to be indifferent between equal forward and expected future spot rates.· Could I in fact have chosen in a manner more worthy of my dignity as a rational agent?· The rational agent is a bargain-hunter.· Human beings are not rational agents.· But how do rational agents put themselves in a position of being able to anticipate changes in the money stock?
· It is important not to read Quinn as calling for the destruction of formal corporate planning or rational analysis.· There is also the fact that in our culture romantic love eludes both rational analysis and individual control.· To depart substantially from them invites question unless it can be demonstrated that such departure conforms to accepted practice by rational analysis.· Indeed, some stakeholders may take action to prevent a rational analysis of their stance or at least any debate over it.· Power relationships affect outcomes, but so does rational analysis.· Of course, once our schemas are shaken, we may well resort, at least inpart, to rational analysis to reformulate them.· Finally, our belief systems are not stored in our minds as a complete rational analysis.· Butin order to arrive at a balanced judgment, a more rational analysis of the factors involved is required.
· Survivors of sudden cardiac death: a rational approach to evaluation and therapy of patients surviving ventricular fibrillation.· The third and final key element in a rational approach concerns the time-scale of the budget.· However, despite early adoption there have been considerable doubts as to the effectiveness of such rational approaches.· Despite these criticisms, recent approaches to decision making have sought to pursue the rational approach.· Adhoc arrangements of this nature are far from a rational approach towards planning an appropriate budget.· However, it is difficult to say that it is a rational approach.· Political approaches Because of the criticisms of rational approaches discussed above, political budgetary approaches show a remarkable capacity to persist.· The formula framework promises a rational approach but, in fact, the contrary may be the case.
· Its conclusions repeated a long-standing cry: Social vision and a collective determination was added to the rational argument of Barlow.· Logical deals are killed, rational arguments are shouted down, ambitious engineers are demoralized.· Nuclear weapons are so inherently absurd that rational argument about their use is scarcely possible.· I'd never set much store by rational argument where Karen was concerned.· The banning of the ordeal symbolized a triumph for rational argument over the old magical formulas.· He told himself that it was late, the end of a busy day, the worst possible time for rational argument.· Often the interaction between interest groups has consisted largely of assertion not fully supported by objective data or rational argument.· The faithful went on believing despite all rational argument.
· Within those areas covered by the rational basis part of the test there would be greater certainty.· Authority is rarely delegated on a rational basis.· A criterion of reasonableness or rational basis is obviously a narrower standard of review.· That commitment can waver or disappear if the arguments of the philosopher or the historian appear to destroy its rational basis.· Business planning also provides a rational basis for measuring performance and helps managers to work as a team.· Not withstanding this, any regulatory policy should have a rational basis.· But it is hardly a rational basis for a business decision.· It would however be misleading to say that the United States courts have always utilised the rational basis test.
· In turn, this presupposes treating the other as a person, as, at least partly, a rational being.· It is the specification of those basic intrinsic values that all rational beings would desire.· So indeterminism is a necessary condition of the later development of morally important freedom in rational beings.· I am not convinced that the principle of natural selection alone makes the emergence of rational beings probable.
· Economics assumes that consumers are perfectly knowledgeable and make rational choices.· Meader found that by any standard, even if one disagrees with their decisions, voters exercised informed judgment and rational choices.· Economically this is still a rational choice.· Politics is a matter of gambles, not a domain of rational choice.· Nor are subjective meanings or rational choices independent of public social rules for doing the right or rational thing.· The project explores the foundations of rational choice theory, probing the limitations of this theory and developing new approaches.· Or, conversely, do alleged causes finally need to make sense in a system of rules and rational choices?· In their portrayal, delinquency is seen as a natural and rational choice for residents of these areas.
· What this discussion reveals is the difficulty that the consumer faces in making a rational decision when it comes to sport.· It was a very sensible, rational decision at the time.· The purpose of evaluation is to collect and analyse information that can be used for rational decision making.· Of course, making a rational decision about when to have children is asking a great deal of lovers.· What would a rational decision to live in Bali be like, if this is not one?· If it has been a long hot summer, I become too weak to make rational decisions, to change channels.· They are all angry, they are desolate, but they have made a rational decision not to be bitter.
· But a rational discussion with the young Pardy was not something easily achieved.· These are ideas that replicate because of psychological needs, not because of rational discussions.· A more rational discussion could do much to change public opinion.
· It was this criticism of the adaptive expectations hypothesis that led to the development of the rational expectations hypothesis.· The aggregate supply curve slope can be explained along rational expectations lines due to misperceptions of prices.· The restrictions generated by rational expectations models are very often non-linear and are also imposed across equations rather than in a single equation.· Possession of such direct observations on expectations would allow us to test the validity of the rational expectations hypothesis in two ways.· This is where the theory of rational expectations emerges once again.· The market efficiency hypothesis states that the market behaves as if traders possessed rational expectations.· Therefore the rational expectations hypothesis suggests a valid method of incorporating additional information when estimating macroeconomic models which contain expectation terms.
· Only now have scientists begun to offer rational explanations for this phenomenon.· Through their various plights, the drama questions a world where feminine ideals regularly defy rational explanation.· This is the mystery of sin which has no rational explanation, for it is ultimately and radically inexplicable.· Either way, there has to be some rational explanation of Clinton's conduct.· There was a rational explanation for all this and, when Carol arrived, he'd discover what it was.· I told myself that there must be some simple, rational explanation, something Illingworth had overlooked.· In any case, Amiss's mind was racing, grappling with a situation devoid of any rational explanation.· Some constructs may reflect pre-verbal bases of organization which can not be accounted for by rational explanation.
· All such considerations pointed rational men to peace.· Culture was where rational men were free to think and to act and to play public roles.· It is now time to call attention to an incongruity in the conception of the rational man from which this chapter started.· He was a rational man and a police officer, but No. 22 seemed obstinately to be producing its own evidence.
· Taking care to avoid certain members of his household ... So the rational mind lays its rational plans.· They need to provide the factual knowledge and the reasoning skills that a rational mind requires.· She has a very logical, rational mind when it comes to a problem.
· Planning and the rational model fell into disrepute in the mid to late 1970s for a number of reasons.· As we indicated above, the rational model may generate untried solutions.· As we saw above, there are limitations with the rational model as a method of solving problems.· Second, political objectives can not be as clearly specified as the scientific or rational model seems to demand.· The practical critics of scientific management Point to the impossibility of meeting the strict demands of the rational model of decision-making.· Even the apparently rational model of planning on page 42 is, nevertheless, subject to political pressures.
· Exactly how a rational person will solve it we shall show later on.· Nevertheless, this holiday buying season still offers more new classical titles than any rational person could wish for.· With every actor reasoning in the same way, however, no narrowly rational person will participate.· Nor had she wanted stepmother status any more than any rational person might.· The mental stance the rational person seeks to organize in this way includes both beliefs and attitudes.· Is there a way to restructure the traditional feminine economy so that an economically rational person could choose the caretaking roles?· The rational person cares about truth and is disposed to seek it.· What is needed to counter it is the simple reflection that there are some things that every rational person desires and values.
· Doubts about the importance of formal rational planning in organizations grew during the 1970s and 1980s.· A moderate reform of capitalism could, it was argued, be effected through a rational planning programme.· Any system of rational planning must take account of, and answer, two questions.
· If so, the only rational response is plain disbelief.· One fragment of her mind reeled in shock but a rational response formed even as the connection spun its thread: Of course.
· One of the strands of that concept is that even rational thought may not be just what it seems on the surface.· Many people insist that most of their political knowledge is based on their own rational thought processes.· We are capable of rational thought and of bringing change.· Even rational thought will not necessarily enable people to agree on political facts.· Purism was an exercise in reason and even the Dadaists arrived at their apparent absurdities by a process of rational thought.· She had a more rational thought.· What the ventriloquist's voice and the puppeteer's hands are to the puppet, presuppositions are to rational thought.· An individual can rely on her own rational thought as a means for deciding that something is correct.
· We will seek fairer and more rational ways of determining public sector pay within clearly defined budget limits.· Rational thought was the product of rational ways of organizing industry.· Have we ever figured out a rational way to explain and triage which drugs should be banned for which reasons?· By that age there is no rational way to disentangle what has been inherited from what has been learned.
WORD FAMILYnounrationality ≠ irrationalityrationalerationalismrationalistrationalizationadjectiverational ≠ irrationalrationalistverbrationalizeadverbrationally ≠ irrationally
1rational thoughts, decisions etc are based on reasons rather than emotions OPP irrational: Parents need to be fully informed so they can make a rational decision. I’m sure there’s a rational explanation for all this. It’s impossible to have a rational conversation with him.2a rational person is able to think calmly and sensibly OPP irrational: Culley was quite rational at the time of her baby’s death.3formal able to make sensible judgments: Man is a rational animal.—rationally adverb: We were too shocked to think rationally.—rationality /ˌræʃəˈnæləlti/ noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONSnounsa rational explanation· I told myself that there must be some simple, rational explanation.a rational decision/choice· The patient was incapable of making a rational decision.a rational approach· We must adopt a rational approach when dealing with this problem.a rational analysis· Emotions are running so high that any rational analysis of the situation is difficult.rational thought· Babies were thought to be incapable of rational thought.rational argument· Nuclear weapons are so absurd that rational argument about their use is scarcely possible.a rational conversation/discussion· Let's all calm down and have a rational discussion.adverbsperfectly rational· I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation.