Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rationale

/ˌɹæʃ.əˈnæl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.53 in modern English

Syllables: ra-tio-nale
IPA: /ˌɹæʃ.əˈnæl/

9

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An explanation of the basis or fundamental reasons for something.

noun

A justification or rationalization for something.

noun

A liturgical vestment worn by some Christian bishops of various denominations.

Example Sentences

"He confirmed that Bashir successfully manipulated Diana’s paranoia by showing her brother, Earl Spencer, forged documents that “proved” her closest advisers had betrayed her to the palace, inflaming her desire to speak out for herself. Bashir lied his way to the biggest TV scoop of the 20th century. Dyson’s censure at least gave her two sons some rationale for why Diana did something so destructive to their happiness."
"the local bishop, H.E. Gregor Maria Hanke, is shown wearing that rarest of liturgical garments, the rationale."

Etymology

From Late Latin ratiōnāle.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌɹæʃ.əˈnæl/
British English: /ˌɹæʃ.əˈnɑːl/

Inflected Forms

rationales (plural) rationalia (plural)

Synonyms

reasoning rationalization principle

Rhymes With

al shall canal cal pal gal val hal morale mal sal pascal

Questions

How do you pronounce rationale?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɹæʃ.əˈnæl/.
What does rationale mean?: An explanation of the basis or fundamental reasons for something.
Where does rationale come from?: From Late Latin ratiōnāle.

How to pronounce rationale

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “rationale”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɹæʃ.əˈnæl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “rationale”.
Repeat and practice — Say “rationale” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.