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irrationalnot logical or reasonable; based on emotions rather than clear thinking

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: not logical or reasonable; based on emotions rather than clear thinking

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪˈræʃənəl/

Example Sentences

  • It's completely irrational to check your phone 47 times during a two-hour movie.
  • Her irrational hatred of the color yellow made shopping for bananas awkward.
  • The CEO's irrational demands included having all meetings conducted while hopping on one foot.

irrational

ADJECTIVE

[/ɪˈræʃənəl/]

not logical or reasonable; based on emotions rather than clear thinking

The furious man aggressively smashed a giant rusty iron key into the digital smart lock, making a completely irrational attempt to open the door.
💡 Concept

The furious man aggressively smashed a giant rusty iron key into the digital smart lock, making a completely irrational attempt to open the door.

IR(not) + RATIONAL(logical) — to be irrational is to violently smash your logical calculator with a heavy hammer to make a completely crazy choice.
🧠 Mnemonic

IR(not) + RATIONAL(logical) — to be irrational is to violently smash your logical calculator with a heavy hammer to make a completely crazy choice.

The star player wearing the glowing national uniform aggressively kicked the ball into his own goal, making a completely irrational and shocking mistake.
🎵 Rhyme

The star player wearing the glowing national uniform aggressively kicked the ball into his own goal, making a completely irrational and shocking mistake.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪˈræʃənəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪˈræʃənəl/

🌳Etymology

Prefixir--
Rootration
Suffix--al

Origin

From Latin irrationalis, derived from ir- (not) and ratio (reason, reckoning). The term originally described a state of lacking reason or intellect, and was used by Romans to characterize individuals governed by emotion rather than rational thought, a usage preserved in modern English.

Breakdown

ir- (not) + ratio (reason, reckoning) + -alis (adjective suffix), literally meaning 'not of reason' or 'contrary to reason'.

🎵Rhyme

rationalnationalemotional
rational
national
emotional

🔗Collocations

irrational fear
irrational behavior
irrational number
completely irrational
irrational decision
seem irrational

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

It's completely irrational to check your phone 47 times during a two-hour movie.

😄 Fun example

Her irrational hatred of the color yellow made shopping for bananas awkward.

😄 Fun example

The CEO's irrational demands included having all meetings conducted while hopping on one foot.

Making important financial decisions when you're angry is often irrational.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

illogicalunreasonableabsurdsenselessridiculous

Antonyms

rationallogicalreasonable

Related

emotionlogicreasonimpulsiveinstinctive

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