Irrationality: meaning, definitions and examples

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irrationality

 

[ ษชหŒrรฆสƒ.ษ™หˆnรฆl.ษช.ti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in psychology

The quality of being irrational; lacking the power of reasoning; contrary to reason; illogical.

Synonyms

illogical, unreasonable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irrationality

This word is best used when describing thoughts, actions, or beliefs that lack reason or logical basis. It often implies a departure from normal or expected rational thinking.

  • The sheer irrationality of his fears made them difficult to understand.
  • Her decision was driven by pure irrationality rather than any sensible reasoning.
illogical

Use this word when referring to something that does not follow a logical sequence or common sense. Typically, it highlights a contradiction in reasoning or argument.

  • It is illogical to assume that just because it rained today, it will rain every day.
  • His illogical argument fell apart under scrutiny.
unreasonable

This word is used to describe demands, expectations, or behaviors that are not fair or sensible. It implies a lack of balance or proportion, often seen as excessive or unfair.

  • His unreasonable demands made it difficult for the team to work with him.
  • Expecting perfect weather on your wedding day is completely unreasonable.

Examples of usage

  • Her irrationality made it difficult to have a logical conversation with her.
  • His irrationality led to impulsive decision-making.
Context #2 | Noun

in mathematics

The quality of being irrational; a number that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers, such as the square root of 2.

Synonyms

non-rational, transcendental.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irrationality

This term is used to describe situations or behaviors that lack reasoning or logic. It often conveys a sense of chaos or disorder.

  • His fear of water is pure irrationality
  • The sudden panic in the meeting was just a moment of irrationality
transcendental

This word describes something that goes beyond ordinary experience or understanding, often related to philosophy, spirituality, or mathematics. It carries a sense of being elevated or profound.

  • The beauty of the forest at dawn was a transcendental experience
  • His ideas were so advanced that they seemed almost transcendental
non-rational

This term is used in a more neutral or clinical sense to describe things that do not involve or are not based on rational thought. It is more academic and less emotionally charged.

  • Some aspects of human psychology are non-rational
  • Artistic inspiration often comes from a non-rational place

Examples of usage

  • The number pi is an example of irrationality in mathematics.

Translations

Translations of the word "irrationality" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น irracionalidade

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคคเคพเคฐเฅเค•เคฟเค•เคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Irrationalitรคt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ irasionalitas

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะตั€ะฐั†ั–ะพะฝะฐะปัŒะฝั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ irracjonalnoล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไธๅˆ็†

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท irrationalitรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ irracionalidad

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท irrasyonellik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋น„ํ•ฉ๋ฆฌ์„ฑ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ู„ุงุนู‚ู„ุงู†ูŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ iracionalita

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ iracionalita

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ž็†ๆ€ง

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ iracionalnost

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รณraunsรฆi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะธั€ั€ะฐั†ะธะพะฝะฐะปะดั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒ แƒแƒชแƒ˜แƒแƒœแƒแƒšแƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ irrasyonalizm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ irracionalidad

Etymology

The word 'irrationality' originated from the Latin word 'irrationalis', which means 'not endowed with reason'. The concept of irrationality has been studied in various fields including psychology, mathematics, and philosophy. In psychology, irrationality refers to behavior or thoughts that are not based on reason or logic. In mathematics, an irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. The study of irrationality has led to important discoveries and insights in these fields.

See also: irrationally.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,927, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.