INDEX:
1. ideas that are logical
2. able to think in a logical way
3. a logical way of thinking
4. not logical
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ SENSIBLE
↑ STUPID/SILLY
↑ IDEA
↑ PLAN
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1. ideas that are logical
▷ logical /ˈlɒdʒɪk ə lǁˈlɑː-/ [adjective]
ideas, decisions etc that are logical are based on a series of facts or ideas connected in a correct and intelligent way :
▪ Your essay ought to take the form of a logical argument.
▪ There is no logical reason for teaching boys and girls separately.
take something to its logical conclusion
▪ If you took the anti-war arguments to their logical conclusion, you would destroy all weapons.
it is logical to do something
▪ If they did not leave until yesterday, then it is logical to assume that they will arrive some time tomorrow.
logically [adverb]
▪ He explained his reasons clearly and logically.
▷ sound /saʊnd/ [adjective]
reasons, ideas, advice etc that are sound are logical and sensible, and it is easy to agree with them or believe that they are right :
▪ The company offers sound financial advice to individuals and businesses.
▪ Is recycling glass a sound idea?
▪ There is no sound reason for the closure of this factory.
▷ make sense /ˌmeɪk ˈsens/ [verb phrase]
an idea, decision or plan that makes sense is logical and easy to understand :
▪ His arguments seem to make sense.
it makes sense for something to happen
▪ It would make sense for the parents to be involved in this discussion.
▷ rational /ˈræʃ ə nəl/ [adjective]
a way of thinking, explanation, idea etc that is rational is very logical and is based on clear practical or scientific reasons, rather than on your feelings or wishes :
▪ We’re looking for someone with a rational approach to dealing with problems.
▪ There must be some rational explanation for this apparently bizarre phenomenon.
▪ There appears to be no rational motive for the attack.
rationally [adverb]
▪ He was so frightened that it was impossible for him to think rationally.
▷ reasonable /ˈriːz ə nəb ə l/ [adjective]
something that is reasonable seems to be logical and likely to be true because of what you know of the situation :
▪ It is a reasonable assumption that she knew him well, as she had the keys to his house.
▪ Given that the patient smokes 50 cigarettes a day, it would be reasonable to assume there is some lung damage.
▷ reasoned /ˈriːz ə nd/ [adjective usually before noun]
a reasoned way of thinking about something is logical and has been thought about very carefully :
▪ We must have an informed and reasoned debate of the moral issues involved.
▪ It became clear that calm, reasoned arguments were not working in this volatile situation.
▷ well-thought-out /ˌwel θɔːt ˈaʊt◂/ [adjective]
a well-thought-out plan or way of doing something is carefully and logically planned :
▪ Before we can apply for funding, we must have strong, well-thought-out proposals.
▪ a well-thought-out strategy
▷ coherent /kəʊˈhɪ ə rənt/ [adjective]
words, thoughts or ideas that are coherent are arranged in an order that makes them easy to understand :
▪ He couldn’t give a coherent account of what he’d been doing that night.
▪ His book contains a coherent argument in favour of economic change.
▷ hang together /ˌhæŋ təˈgeðəʳ/ [intransitive phrasal verb] informal
if a piece of writing or an explanation hangs together, it is easy to understand because its parts are connected in a way that seems natural and logical :
▪ Her story doesn’t hang together very well.
▷ add up /ˌæd ˈʌp/ [intransitive phrasal verb not in progressive] informal
if a set of facts add up, they are logically connected so they provide a reasonable explanation of a situation :
▪ I can see now that George was planning this all along - it all adds up.
2. able to think in a logical way
▷ logical /ˈlɒdʒɪk ə lǁˈlɑː-/ [adjective]
someone who is logical is good at thinking in a very careful, clear, and organized way :
▪ Joe’s very sharp and logical when it comes to money matters.
▪ She’s a clear and logical thinker.
▪ Men often accuse women of not being logical.
▷ rational /ˈræʃ ə nəl/ [adjective]
someone who is rational is able to think clearly and logically without letting their emotions influence their decision or opinions :
▪ How can a rational man be taken in by these arguments?
▪ Let’s try and discuss this like two rational human beings.
3. a logical way of thinking
▷ logic /ˈlɒdʒɪkǁˈlɑː-/ [uncountable noun]
a way of thinking that is clear and sensible because it is based on a series of facts or ideas connected in a correct and intelligent way :
▪ Sophie questioned the logic of his arguments.
logic behind
▪ I couldn’t see the logic behind the decision to close the school.
▷ reasoning /ˈriːz ə nɪŋ/ [uncountable noun]
a logical way of thinking, used especially to make decisions or to explain why something happened :
▪ Although I understood her reasoning, I did not agree with her decision.
line of reasoning
the reasoning someone has used to find an answer, explanation etc for a particular problem
▪ I found it hard to follow his line of reasoning.
reasoning behind
▪ The architect was asked to explain the reasoning behind his new design.
4. not logical
▷ illogical /ɪˈlɒdʒɪk ə lǁɪˈlɑː-/ [adjective]
▪ Listen to your child’s worries and fears, however illogical they may seem.
▪ I found some of his arguments totally illogical.
it is illogical to do something
▪ It is illogical to sell stocks and shares when their value is low.
▪ Because we do not know what death is, it is illogical to fear it.
▷ irrational /ɪˈræʃ ə nəl/ [adjective]
something someone says or does that is irrational is not logical and often seems slightly crazy, especially because it is based only on emotions :
▪ His behaviour can be somewhat irrational at times.
▪ She struggled to overcome her irrational fear of the dark.
▷ not make sense/make no sense /ˌnɒt meɪk ˈsens, ˌmeɪk nəʊ ˈsens/ [verb phrase]
something that does not make sense, especially someone’s behaviour, is very difficult to understand because there seems to be no logical reason for it :
▪ I can’t understand why she’s so annoyed -- it doesn’t make sense.
▪ Increasing interest rates now would make no sense at all.
it makes no sense to do something
▪ It makes no sense to invest more money in a project that is so obviously a failure.
▷ not hold water /ˌnɒt həʊld ˈwɔːtəʳ/ [verb phrase not in progressive] informal
an explanation that does not hold water does not seem logical and can be easily criticized or proved to be incorrect :
▪ His account of events simply doesn’t hold water.
▷ not stand up /ˌnɒt stænd ˈʌp/ [intransitive phrasal verb not in progressive]
an explanation that does not stand up does not seem logical and can be easily criticized or proved to be incorrect :
▪ He might be able to convince his lawyer that he’s telling the truth, but his story won’t stand up in court.
not stand up to criticism/analysis etc
▪ It’s an interesting theory, but I don’t think it will stand up to close examination.
▷ not add up /ˌnɒt æd ˈʌp/ [intransitive phrasal verb not in progressive] informal
if a set of facts or statements do not add up, they do not seem to be logically connected, even though it is difficult to say why :
▪ Why had she left the note? It just didn’t add up.
▪ There were a few things in his story that didn’t add up.