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categorically

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /ˌkætəˈɡɔrɪkli/

KK: /kætəˈɡɔrɪkli/

adverb
Definition

In a clear and definite way, without any doubt or ambiguity.


Example

She categorically denied the accusations against her.


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you hear about the new policy at work?
Sloth B
Yeah, I heard they decided to change it categorically.
Sloth A
That's pretty surprising; I didn't expect such a drastic change.
Sloth B
I know! They should have communicated it better, honestly.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
definitively
unambiguously
explicitly
Antonyms
ambiguously
vaguely
conditionally
Root Explanation

Categorically → It is formed from "category" (from Greek "katēgoria", meaning a class or division) and the suffix "-ically" (meaning in a manner relating to). The word "categorically" means in a manner that relates to a specific class or category, often used to express something in an absolute or unequivocal way.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'category' as a specific class or group, and remember that 'categorically' means expressing something in a clear and absolute manner related to that class.

Visually Confused Words
acategorical
catoptrically
allegorically
theorically
catonically
sciatherically
noncategorical
tautegorical
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