Meaning & Definition of Modal in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: Pertaining to a mode, particularly in music or logic.

  Example Sentence: The modal scale includes seven notes that are derived from the major scale.

• Definition: Expressing a particular mode of possibility or necessity.

  Example Sentence: Modal verbs such as 'can,' 'must,' and 'may' are used to indicate ability or obligation.

• Definition: In grammar, relating to the behavior of verbs in expressing moods.

  Example Sentence: The phrase is constructed using a modal auxiliary verb.

• Definition: In statistics, relating to the most frequently occurring value in a set.

  Example Sentence: The modal value of the dataset indicated the most common response from participants.

• Definition: In computer science, relating to modal windows that require user interaction.

  Example Sentence: The application displayed a modal dialog box that needed to be acknowledged.

Etymology

Origin: Derived from Latin 'modalis,' meaning 'of a mode or measure.'

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• modal logic: A type of logic that deals with modes of truth, such as necessity and possibility.
• modal verbs: Verbs used to indicate modality, such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.
• modal window: A dialog box that requires the user to interact with it before they can return to operating the parent application.

Translations

• Spanish: modal

• French: modal

• German: modal

• Russian: модальный

Related Words

• modality: The way in which something exists, is experienced, or is expressed.

• mode: A manner of doing something; a way or method.