Synonyms for

Canonical

Verb / kʌˈnɑ:nʌkʌl / Another word for canonical — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

According to or serving as a rule or standard.

Synonyms & similar words

basic sanctioned canonic accepted authoritative legitimate orthodox traditional regular approved recognized established classical standard official typical customary conventional mainstream usual normal common popular

Synonyms by register

Formal

authoritative standard accepted orthodox definitive

Informal

official regular standard approved

Literary

exemplary archetypal classic

Antonyms

nonstandard unauthorized unofficial unconventional abnormal irregular unorthodox

Common collocations

  • canonical form
  • canonical order
  • canonical text
  • canonical list
  • canonical representation
  • canonical model
  • canonical answer

Word family

noun canon
adverb canonically

Usage note

Often used in academic or technical contexts to refer to something that is accepted as a standard or authoritative example. Be careful not to confuse with 'cannibal'.

Example sentences

  1. The Bible has a canonical list of books.
  2. The teacher gave us the canonical way to solve a math problem.
  3. The canonical hours are specific times of prayer throughout the day.
  4. The canonical form of a quadratic equation is ax² + bx + c = 0.
  5. The artist painted a canonical portrait of the president.

Quotes

  • Adopting a canonical posture, I make as if to sit on a chair that isn't there.
  • I think there's a great beauty to having problems. That's one of the ways we learn.
  • Canonical doesn't mean boring.

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