irrational
/ɪˈraʃ(ə)n(ə)l
/adjective
1Not logical or reasonable: irrational feelings of hostility...
- Power sets the guidelines by which we measure what is reasonable and what is irrational.
- The more irrational and illogical someone becomes, the more logical and incisive I become.
- By absurd, I do not mean silly, but absurd as is in the illogical or irrational.
Synonyms
unreasonable, illogical, groundless, baseless, unfounded, unjustifiable, unsound;
absurd, ridiculous, ludicrous, silly, foolish, senseless, nonsensical, laughable, idiotic, stupid, wild;
untenable, implausible, unscientific, arbitrary
informal crazy, mad
British informal barmy, daft
1.1Not endowed with the power of reason.Whenever you encounter a system that seems so irrational, you should ponder what's going on beneath the surface....
- Man is an irrational being, morals are irrational, and have no metaphysical foundation which make them "real" or worth paying any attention to.
2 Mathematics (Of a number, quantity, or expression) not expressible as a ratio of two integers, and having an infinite and non-recurring expansion when expressed as a decimal. Examples of irrational numbers are the number π and the square root of 2.What about a seed angle derived from the golden ratio, an irrational number?...
- The square root of 2 is an irrational number because it can't be written as a ratio of two integers.
- How can mathematical concepts like points, infinitesimally small quantities, or irrational numbers be anything but products of our minds?
noun Mathematics
An irrational number or quantity; a surd.Eudoxus's definition of equal ratios corresponds exactly to the modern theory of irrationals....
- Whether such quirks in the irregularity of irrationals have any implications for number theory remains an open question for mathematicians.
- His commentary to Euclid is of interest because of its discussion of unordered irrationals.
Derivatives
irrationalize
- When one thinks of planar travel the mind can often be boggled, confused, deceived and irrationalized.
- The absence of knowledge affects human behaviour by reducing, distorting, and irrationalising the choices made by individuals.
- I have reason to believe that she is about to irrationalize thinking on every issue.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin irrationalis, from in- 'not' + rationalis (see rational).