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Definition of positional

positional

/pəˈzɪʃ.ən.əl/
po · si · tion · al

Adverb:positionally
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positional Lexical Profile

positional Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to, determined by, or depending on the physical location, arrangement, or relative placement of something.

Example

"The physical therapist explained that the patient's dizziness was positional and triggered by sudden head movements."


2

Relating to a style of strategy in sports or board games such as chess that prioritizes long-term placement, spacing, and control of territory over immediate tactical attacks.

Example

"The grandmaster is renowned for her patient, positional style of chess that gradually restricts her opponent's options."


3

Derived from or relating to a person's formal rank, title, or status within an organization or social hierarchy.

Example

"Effective leaders rely on genuine trust and expertise rather than mere positional authority to motivate their teams."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for positional

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-19th century from the noun "position" (from Latin positio, meaning "a placing" or "arrangement") combined with the adjectival suffix "-al".

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Positional. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/positional
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