Home › Psychology › Problem-Solving & Reasoning › analytical

analytical

an-uh-LIT-ih-kul /ˌænəˈlɪtɪkl/

adjectiveB2GRESATGMATIELTSTOEFLCAT

academicprofessionalgeneral

Relating to or using logical, step-by-step methods to break complex information down into smaller components for evaluation.

Emphasizes objective, methodical decomposition rather than emotional or holistic judgment.

The story behind the word. Greek 'analytikos' literally meant 'able to unloose'. Just as a complex knot is untied by loosening every individual strand, an analytical thinker solves problems by loosening and examining each separate component.

Word relationships

methodical: 'Methodical' emphasizes following an orderly procedure, while 'analytical' stresses logical breakdown of parts.
diagnostic: 'Diagnostic' focuses specifically on identifying cause of failure, while 'analytical' is broader.

synthetic: 'Synthetic' combines elements into a whole, whereas 'analytical' dissects a whole into parts.

Commonly confused with

synthetic: Analytical breaks things down into constituent parts; synthetic combines individual parts into a new whole.

Word family

analyze (verb): To examine methodically by breaking into parts.
analysis (noun): Detailed examination of the elements of something.

Collocations

analytical skill
analytical mind
analytical reasoning
analytical framework

Example sentences

"Her analytical approach to problem-solving helped her break down the massive software bug into five manageable modules." Software engineering troubleshooting
"An analytical mind is not satisfied with surface appearances but constantly seeks to dissect the underlying mechanisms of a system." Philosophy of science

Memory hook

ANALYTICAL untIES logical knots by breaking things apart. Break complex things apart to analyze each piece.

When not to use

Do not use for describing artistic, unexamined gut reactions that resist breakdown.

Fun facts

The word 'analysis' originally referred to untying a knot in classical Greek literature!