Definition of 'modal'
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or characteristic of mode or manner
2. grammar
(of a verb form or auxiliary verb) expressing a distinction of mood, such as that between possibility and actuality. The modal auxiliaries in English include can, could, may, must, need, ought, shall, should, will, and would
3. philosophy, logic
a.
qualifying or expressing a qualification of the truth of some statement, for example, as necessary or contingent
b.
5. music
of or relating to a mode
6.
of or relating to a statistical mode
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
adverb
adjective
1.
of or indicating a mode or mood
2. Grammar
of or expressing mood
a modal auxiliary
3.
a. Jazz
of or relating to compositions or improvisations based on an arrangement of modes rather than a series of chord progressions
b.
6. Philosophy
of mode, or form, as opposed to substance
7. Statistics
having to do with a statistical mode
noun
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
adverb
Trends of 'modal'
In Common Usage. modal is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
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Translations for 'modal'
British English: modal NOUN
In grammar, a modal or a modal auxiliary is a word such as 'can' or 'would' which is used with a main verb to express ideas such as possibility, intention, or necessity.
Nearby words of 'modal'
Related Terms of 'modal'
Source
Definition of modal from the
Collins English Dictionary
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