English pronunciation · Words Starting with R
Rational Pronunciation
Rational is pronounced RA-shuh-nuhl, IPA /ˈræʃənəl/.
RA-shuh-nuhl
US /ˈræʃənəl/ · UK /ˈræʃənəl/
Syllables: RA · shuh · nuhl (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Based on reason rather than feeling, or able to think clearly.
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Rational in a Sentence
- There is a rational explanation for all of it.
- He was calm and rational about the whole business.
- Three is not a rational answer to that question.
Common Mispronunciations of Rational
Not RAY-shuh-nuhl
Rational clips its first vowel to the a of cat, although ratio keeps a long ay.
Not ra-shuh-NAL
That is the noun rationale, a separate word with the push at the back, while rational holds it at the front.
Tip: Rational, national and fractional all close on the same weak shuh-nuhl.
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