causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl 

1

: expressing or indicating cause : causative

a causal clause introduced by since

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a cause

the causal agent of a disease

3

: involving causation or a cause : marked by cause and effect

a causal link

evidence suggests that there is a strong causal relationship between an individual's experiences with his parents and his later capacity to make affectional bonds

—G. A. Miller

4

: arising from a cause

a causal development

causally

ˈkȯ-zə-lē 

adverb

Examples of causal in a Sentence

No causal connection between the events was found.

There is a causal link between poverty and crime.

Recent Examples on the Web

The other two experiments involved the use of a lucky charm, and the authors concluded there is a causal effect between performance and the sense that good luck had been activated. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024

Although a causal effect between social media use and teen mental health has not been demonstrated, public health officials and parents particularly should not shy away from addressing social media use in our youth. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

The whole organism then influences all its components in a circular causal loop. —Andréa Morris, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Though there were no casualties and long range studies were never able to confirm a causal rise in cancer cases in the area, Three Mile Island was the worst US commercial nuclear accident and arguably the third worst in the world after the later Chernobyl and Fukushima incidents. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin causālis, from Latin causa cause entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl 

: of, relating to, or being a cause

Legal Definition

causal

adjective

caus·​al ˈkȯ-zəl 

1

: of, relating to, or constituting a cause

causal negligence

2

: involving causation or a cause

no causal relationship between driving without insurance and the accident

—National Law Journal

a causal link exists between the deceptive act and the injury

—National Law Journal

3

: arising from a cause