relational

[ ri-ley-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to relations.
2. indicating or specifying some relation.
3. Grammar. serving to indicate relations between various elements in a sentence, as prepositions, conjunctions, etc. Compare notional ( def 6 ).

relational

/ rɪˈleɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. grammar indicating or expressing syntactic relation, as for example the case endings in Latin
2. having relation or being related
3. computing based on data stored in a tabular form

   a relational database

Other Words From

• nonre·lation·al adjective
• unre·lation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relational¹

First recorded in 1655–65; relation + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Men and boys today have all sorts of challenges: mental health crises, depression, relational challenges, loneliness and opioid addiction.

From Salon

An Instagram account where Perel sprinkles tidbits of relational wisdom into the feeds of more than 2 million followers.

From Los Angeles Times

Boss defined it as “a relational disorder caused by the lack of facts surrounding the loss of a loved one,” but today, it encompasses a wide variety of loss.

From Los Angeles Times

Tiera Couch, an L.A.-based clinical social worker who specializes in relational trauma and anxiety, encourages people to preface the conversation with all of the things that could go wrong.

From Los Angeles Times

There are anthropological studies about women that show they tend to be more relational.

From Salon

Related Words

• comparative
• related
• relative