rational vs rationale :

rational or rationale

“Rational” is an adjective meaning “reasonable” or “logical”: “Ivan made a rational decision to sell his old car when he moved to New York.” “Rational” rhymes with “national.”“Rationale” is a noun which most often means “underlying reason”: “His rationale for this decision was that it would cost more to pay for parking than the car was worth.” “Rationale” rhymes with “passion pal.”

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Definitions
  rational
  • n  an integer or a fraction
  • a  consistent with or based on or using reason
    rational behavior
    a process of rational inference
    rational thought
  • s  of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
    the triumph of the rational over the animal side of man
  • a  capable of being expressed as a quotient of integers
    rational numbers
  • s  having its source in or being guided by the intellect (as distinguished from experience or emotion)
    a rational analysis
  rationale
  • n  (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
    the rationale for capital punishment
News & Articles
  rational
  • Unmasking the Dalai Lama
    Dear Tell All: I read Rational Rodney's complaint about Madison's misguided love for the Dalai Lama during his recent visit (The Dalai Lama Is a Bore," 5/24/2013). I agree that he's boring, having heard him countless times. All the religions teach love, compassion and forgiveness, by the way. I have a Ph.D. in the subject, for what it is worth, and I happen to know that the Gelugpa Order deems ...
    June 15, 2013 - Isthmus
  • Modern Science And Our Sense Of Wonder
    Science is often accused of extinguishing our enchantment with the world, of being too cold and rational. Quite the opposite is true, says Marcelo Gleiser. Modern science has restored a sense of wonder to the world with its revelations of objects unseen and realities unknown.
    June 13, 2013 - NPR
  • Beyond Bounds: Brock Wood KO’d Cancer, Now Kayaking The Mississippi
    There are two reasons (one rational, one irrational) why Brock Wood is going to have no problem kayaking the 2,400 miles down the Mississippi this summer.
    June 13, 2013 - CBS Minnesota
  rationale
  • News Summary: Facebook launches servers outside US
    NEW SERVERS: Facebook started processing data through its first server farm outside the United States, on the edge of the Arctic Circle in Sweden. THE RATIONALE: The company said the new servers should ...
    June 12, 2013 - Associated Press via Yahoo! News
  • TEVA AND ACTIVE BIOTECH REPORT POSITIVE RESULTS FROM PHASE IIa STUDY OF LAQUINIMOD IN ACTIVE LUPUS NEPHRITIS
    . Laquinimod showed additive effect in improving renal function when combined with the standard of care treatment . Results provide rationale for further studies of laquinimod in active lupus nephritis ...
    June 12, 2013 - Marketwired via Yahoo! Finance
  • Minicamp not for starters in Houston
    Gary Kubiak knows best when it comes to how hard to push the accelerator for the Houston Texans. But with their minicamp underway, I’m reminded how he treats the three days of work. While they are the peak of the offseason for most teams, they amount to a rest period for the Texans' front-liners. It seems cushy, but Kubiak offers a reasonable rationale. “They’ve had 10 good practices under their ...
    June 12, 2013 - ESPN Blogs