# rationale

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌɹæʃ.əˈnɑːl/ · frequency rank #14,393

## Definitions
1. An explanation of the basis or fundamental reasons for something.
2. A justification or rationalization for something.

## Etymology
From Late Latin ratiōnāle.

## Easily confused with
- **rationally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rationale-vs-rationally)
- **rationalize** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rationale-vs-rationalize)
- **rational** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rational-vs-rationale)

## Common misspellings (12)
`artionale`, `raitonale`, `ratinoale`, `ratioanle`, `rationael`, `rationalle`, `rationlae`, `rationnale`, `ratoinale`, `rattionale`, `rrationale`, `rtaionale`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/rationale