Category Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：group or class (category)

category 🔊

/ˈkætəɡəri/

A group of things or people that have similar characteristics.

Category illustrated by organized supermarket shelves with clear section signs

group or class 🔊

➕

/ɡruːp ɔːr klæs/

A distinct grouping of items or concepts that share common features or characteristics, used for systematic organization.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'kategoria' (statement, accusation), via Latin 'categoria' (class, predicate).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a CAT sorting EGGS into different RY (rye) baskets—each basket is a CAT-EGG-RY of eggs.

📖 Example

In the library, books are organized by category, such as fiction, non-fiction, and science. 🔊 Books are sorted into sections like fiction, non-fiction, and science in the library.

🔗 Collocations

broad category – a large, general group that includes many types

fall into a category – to belong to or be classed within a specific group

main category – the most important or primary classification

🔄 Synonyms

class (n.) – A set or division sharing characteristics or status.

group (n.) – A number of people or things located or considered together.

type (n.) – A category of people or things sharing common characteristics.

🚫 Antonyms

individual (n.) – A single person or thing considered separately from a group.

specific item (n.) – A distinct, particular thing, not part of a generalized group.

🌱 Derivatives

categorize (v.) – to place something in a particular category

categorical (adj.) – expressed clearly and directly; absolute

📖 Cultural Story

The term originates from Aristotle's logical works in ancient Greece. In his 'Categories', he systematically classified fundamental types of things that can be the subject or predicate of a proposition. This philosophical foundation established 'category' as a primary tool for organizing knowledge in Western thought.