Category
/ˈkætəɡɔːri/
Definitions
A group of similar things
/ˈkætəɡɔːri/
A class or division of things, people, or concepts.
The store organized its products into different categories.
💡 Simply: It's like putting similar things together in a group.
👶 For kids: A group of things that are alike.
More Examples
We need to categorize these items for the database.
How It's Used
"The library books are organized into different categories."
"Online stores use categories to help customers find products."
From Late Latin *categoria, from Greek κατηγορία (katēgoría) "accusation, predication," from κατηγορεῖν (katēgoreîn) "to accuse, predicate." The sense shifted from a logical classification to a general grouping.
The word's original meaning in philosophy related to logical predication. Its modern use focuses more on classification.
Memory tip
Think of 'cat' and 'gorilla'—cats and gorillas are in different categories!