adjective

categorical

kat-uh-GOR-ih-kl/ˌkætəˈɡɔːrɪkl/

Stated firmly and without exceptions or conditions.

The man gives a categorical refusal, raising his palm toward the offered envelope.

A young adult East Asian man gives an unequivocal refusal to a middle-aged white woman offering him a plain envelope: his upright open palm, firmly closed mouth, and steady eye contact convey a categorical no.

Etymology

catGreekdown to; perhaps against

+egorGreekto speak in an assembly

+icalEnglishrelating to

Public speaking, with a prefix perhaps meaning 'against,' became accusation and then assertion. In logic, a categorical statement asserted something without qualification, giving the adjective its broader sense of absolute or explicit.

In context

William weds Kate2:07

William is absolutely categorical about the fact that there is no way he wants anything to do with the family.

Lady C's BOMBSHELL Surrogacy Claim — Lilibet Born in Colorado?

More examples

Her answer is a categorical refusal.
The statement offers categorical assurance that the event is canceled.
He avoids making categorical claims without evidence.

Similar words

unequivocal: Emphasizes clarity and lack of ambiguity.
absolute: Emphasizes having no limits or exceptions.