modal
modal Lexical Profile
modal Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of or denoting the mood of a verb, or a class of auxiliary verbs used to express modality such as possibility, necessity, or permission.
"In English grammar, words like 'must' and 'should' serve as modal auxiliaries that modify the main verb."
Designating a user-interface window or state that requires the user to interact with it before returning to the parent application.
"A modal dialog box appeared on the screen, prompting the user to save their changes before closing the document."
Relating to mode or form as opposed to substance.
"The researchers analyzed the modal variations in how the two communities practiced their traditions."
Relating to the statistical mode, or the value that occurs most frequently in a given data set.
"The survey revealed that the modal age of first-time homebuyers in the region had risen to thirty-four."
Using or composed in musical modes rather than the standard major or minor scales.
"Miles Davis revolutionized modern improvisation with his exploration of modal jazz on the album 'Kind of Blue'."
• noun
An auxiliary verb that expresses necessity, possibility, permission, or ability, such as 'can', 'could', 'may', 'might', or 'must'.
"Language learners often need extra practice to master the subtle differences between English modals."
A graphical user-interface element or pop-up window that overlays the main content and disables interaction with the rest of the page until it is dismissed.
"Clicking the registration button triggers a modal where visitors can enter their contact details."
A soft, semi-synthetic cellulosic textile fiber made by spinning reconstituted pulp from beech trees, commonly used in apparel and household linens.
"She preferred sleepwear made from a blend of cotton and modal because of its breathable, silky texture."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word has two distinct pronunciations depending on the sense: the grammatical, logical, and musical senses are pronounced with the stress on the first syllable (/ˈmoʊdəl/), whereas the semi-synthetic textile made from beech tree pulp is often pronounced with the stress on the second syllable (/moʊˈdɑːl/).
• Rhymes for modal
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Medieval Latin modalis, from Latin modus ('measure, manner, or mode'). The textile sense was coined in the mid-20th century in Germany as a trade name derived from the same root.