Rational decisions and thoughts are based on reason rather than on emotion.
He's asking you to look at both sides of the case and come to a rational decision.
Mary was able to short-circuit her stress response by keeping her thoughts calm andrational.
rationallyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
It can be very hard to think rationally when you're feeling so vulnerable and alone.
rationality (ræʃənælɪti)uncountable noun
We live in an era of rationality.
2. adjective
A rational person is someone who is sensible and is able to make decisions based on intelligent thinking rather than on emotion.
Did he come across as a sane rational person?
Rachel looked calmer and more rational now.
Synonyms: sane, balanced, normal, all there [informal] More Synonyms of rational
More Synonyms of rational
rational in British English
(ˈræʃənəl)
adjective
1.
using reason or logic in thinking out a problem
2.
in accordance with the principles of logic or reason; reasonable
3.
of sound mind; sane
the patient seemed quite rational
4.
endowed with the capacity to reason; capable of logical thought
humans are rational beings
5. mathematics
expressible as a ratio of two integers or polynomials
a rational number; a rational function
noun
6. mathematics
a rational number
Derived forms
rationally (ˈrationally)
adverb
rationalness (ˈrationalness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin ratiōnālis, from ratiōreason
rational in American English
(ˈræʃənəl)
adjective
1.
of, based on, or derived from reasoning
rational powers
2.
able to reason; reasoning; in possession of one's reason or sanity
3.
showing reason; not foolish or silly; sensible
a rational argument
4. Ancient Mathematics
a.
designating or of a real number or quantity expressible as the ratio of two integers, with the second integer not being equal to zero: all integers and fractions are rational numbers
see also irrational (sense 3)
b.
designating a function expressible as the quotient of two polynomials
SYNONYMY NOTE: rational implies the ability to reason logically, as by drawing conclusions from inferences,and often connotes the absence of emotionalism [man is a rational creature]; reasonable is a less technical term and suggests the use of practical reason in making decisions,choices, etc. [a reasonable solution to a problem]; sensible, also a nontechnical term, implies the use of common sense or sound judgment [you made a sensible decision]
OPPOSITES: irrational, absurd
Derived forms
rationally (ˈrationally)
adverb
rationalness (ˈrationalness)
noun
Word origin
ME racional < L rationalis < ratio: see reason
Examples of 'rational' in a sentence
rational
Why were the rational thoughts pointing that way?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was no rational thinking.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Rather, we want our young brought up with rational thought and scientific fact if we are to progress as a nation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I found him to be calm, rational, very well informed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can take a more rational look at life.
The Sun (2008)
We know only too well that all rational judgment there has been abandoned.
The Sun (2015)
Yet my rational mind also insists that those images are only half of reality.
Christianity Today (2000)
It was the rational solution and it terrified the committee.
Brian Thompson DEVASTATING EDEN: The Search for Utopia in America (2004)
Survival instincts invade your head and rational thoughts take a dive.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
To enter it one must be prepared to let the rational reason go.
Travers, P L What the Bee Knows - reflections on myth, symbol and story (1989)
What struck me most at the time was how little rational argument seemed to matter.
Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)
Now is the time for calm assessment and rational judgments on her future.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We no longer have to waste our time looking for rational motives.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Their rational mind was too busy to control their impulses.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Soon you will lose the capacity for rational thought.
The Sun (2012)
There are many rational reasons not to get beyond the first chapter.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Thus people are rendered fatalistic and generally accept their situation in life rather than make rational efforts to change it.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
The deal sounds so rational, for both sides.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But she's so sane and rational.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The moon settles your emotions so you can talk about money in a calm, rational way.
The Sun (2011)
Ah, but that would require some clear and rational thinking from the ruling bodies.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And much of the advice he offers is rational, sound and humane.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The Italian league is much more rational and tactical rather than this league.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Provided the solution was a rational one and not conspicuously unfair his Lordship could not quash it.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The slow is logical, rational and lazy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She was calm and rational, as she always is.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A player's desperation to represent his country can and will override rational judgment.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He was a sane, rational, bright young man with no history of mental illness.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
rational
British English: rational /ˈræʃənl/ ADJECTIVE
Rational decisions and thoughts are based on sensible judgment rather than on emotion.
He is incapable of making a rational decision.
American English: rational
Arabic: عَقْلانِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: racional
Chinese: 理性的
Croatian: racionalan
Czech: racionální
Danish: rationel
Dutch: rationeel
European Spanish: racional
Finnish: järkevä
French: rationnel
German: vernünftig
Greek: έλλογος
Italian: razionale
Japanese: 理にかなった
Korean: 합리적인
Norwegian: rasjonell
Polish: rozsądny
European Portuguese: racional
Romanian: rațional
Russian: рациональный
Latin American Spanish: racional
Swedish: rationell
Thai: ซึ่งมีเหตุผล
Turkish: akıllıca
Ukrainian: розумний
Vietnamese: hợp lý
All related terms of 'rational'
rational dress
long loose trousers gathered at the ankle and worn under a shorter skirt
rational number
any real number of the form a / b , where a and b are integers and b is not zero , as 7 or 7/3
rational reason
The reason for something is a fact or situation which explains why it happens or what causes it to happen.
rational argument
An argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct .
rational explanation
If you say there is an explanation for something, you mean that there is a reason for it.
bloomers
Bloomers are an old-fashioned kind of women's underwear which consists of wide , loose trousers gathered at the knees.
Chinese translation of 'rational'
rational
(ˈræʃənl)
adj
[decision, explanation]合理的 (hélǐ de)
[person]理性的 (lǐxìng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
reasonable or sensible
a rational decision
Synonyms
sensible
She was a sensible girl and did not panic.
sound
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
wise
She had made a very wise decision.
reasonable
He's a reasonable sort of chap.
intelligent
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
realistic
a realistic view of what we can afford
logical
There was a logical explanation.
enlightened
sane
a sane and safe energy policy
lucid
He wasn't very lucid; he didn't quite know where he was.
judicious
The President authorizes the judicious use of military force.
sagacious
a wise and sagacious leader
grounded
2 (adjective)
Definition
capable of reasoning
Man, as a rational being, may act against his impulses.
Synonyms
reasoning
thinking
Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.
cognitive
cerebral
ratiocinative
3 (adjective)
Definition
sane
Rachel looked calmer and more rational now.
Synonyms
sane
He seemed perfectly sane.
balanced
normal
all there (informal)
He looked lost, not all there.
lucid
of sound mind
compos mentis (Latin)
in your right mind
Opposites
unreasonable
,
irrational
,
unsound
Additional synonyms
in the sense of all there
He looked lost, not all there.
Synonyms
rational,
normal,
sane,
lucid,
of sound mind,
compos mentis,
in your right mind,
mentally sound,
in possession of all your faculties
in the sense of intelligent
Definition
having or showing intelligence
Rita is a highly intelligent woman.
Synonyms
clever,
bright,
smart,
knowing,
quick,
sharp,
acute,
alert,
rational,
penetrating,
enlightened,
apt,
discerning,
knowledgeable,
astute,
well-informed,
brainy (informal),
perspicacious,
quick-witted,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of judicious
Definition
having or showing good judgment
The President authorizes the judicious use of military force.
Synonyms
sensible,
considered,
reasonable,
discerning,
sound,
politic,
acute,
informed,
diplomatic,
careful,
wise,
cautious,
rational,
sober,
discriminating,
thoughtful,
discreet,
sage,
enlightened,
shrewd,
prudent,
sane,
skilful,
astute,
expedient,
circumspect,
well-advised,
well-judged,
sagacious (formal),
sapient (ironic)
Synonyms of 'rational'
rational
Explore 'rational' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of logical
Definition
reasonable because of facts or events
There was a logical explanation.
Synonyms
reasonable,
obvious,
sensible,
most likely,
natural,
necessary,
wise,
plausible,
judicious
in the sense of lucid
Definition
capable of clear thought, particularly between periods of insanity or delirium
He wasn't very lucid; he didn't quite know where he was.
Synonyms
clear-headed,
sound,
reasonable,
sensible,
rational,
sober,
all there,
sane,
compos mentis,
in your right mind
in the sense of realistic
a realistic view of what we can afford
Synonyms
practical,
real,
sensible,
rational,
common-sense,
sober,
pragmatic,
down-to-earth,
matter-of-fact,
businesslike,
level-headed,
hard-headed,
unsentimental,
unromantic,
grounded
in the sense of reasonable
Definition
logical
He's a reasonable sort of chap.
Synonyms
sensible,
reasoned,
sound,
practical,
wise,
intelligent,
rational,
logical,
sober,
credible,
plausible,
sane,
judicious,
grounded
in the sense of sagacious
Definition
wise or sensible
a wise and sagacious leader
Synonyms
wise,
shrewd,
astute,
knowing,
able,
fly (slang),
sharp,
acute,
smart,
intelligent,
sage,
discerning,
canny,
perceptive,
judicious,
insightful,
far-sighted,
clear-sighted,
long-headed,
sharp-witted,
perspicacious (formal)
in the sense of sound
Definition
showing good judgment or reasoning
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
Synonyms
sensible,
wise,
reasonable,
right,
true,
responsible,
correct,
proper,
reliable,
valid,
orthodox,
rational,
logical,
prudent,
trustworthy,
well-founded,
level-headed,
right-thinking,
well-grounded,
grounded
in the sense of thinking
Definition
using intelligent thought
Thinking people on both sides will applaud this book.