Category vs. Cathegory — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
The correct spelling is "Category," which refers to a class or division of things having shared characteristics. "Cathegory" is incorrect and should not be used.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Category or Cathegory
How to spell Category?
Category
Correct Spelling
Cathegory
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember that "category" rhymes with "allegory," and neither has an 'h' after the 'e'.
Think of "cat," the first three letters in "category," which is also spelled without an 'h.'
English words that end in "-ory" are often spelled without an 'h', like "directory" or "inventory."
The root word for "Category" is "categor-," which does not have an "h" in it.
Category has "ego" in the middle, not "e go h."
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How Do You Spell Cathegory Correctly?
Incorrect: She won first place in the baking cathegory at the fair.
Correct: She won first place in the baking category at the fair.
Incorrect: Each cathegory of the competition had a different judge.
Correct: Each category of the competition had a different judge.
Incorrect: Please select your preferred cathegory on the website.
Correct: Please select your preferred category on the website.
Incorrect: The teacher explained the science cathegory in detail.
Correct: The teacher explained the science category in detail.
Incorrect: Cathegory is often mistaken for organizing books in the library.
Correct: Category is often mistaken for organizing books in the library.
Category Definitions
A category is a classification based on shared attributes.
Fruits and vegetables are two different categories of food.
In philosophy, a category is a predefined class of concepts.
Aristotle outlined several basic categories of being.
In mathematics, a category is a set with specific operations.
The category of sets and functions is fundamental to set theory.
In retail, a category refers to a range of similar products.
The snack aisle features various categories of chips.
In computer science, a category can refer to a way to label data.
This algorithm sorts items into several categories.
(Mathematics) A class of objects, together with a class of morphisms between those objects, and an associative composition rule for those morphisms. Categories are used to study a wide variety of mathematical constructions in a similar way.
A class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteristics
The various categories of research
Each of a possibly exhaustive set of classes among which all things might be distributed.
A specifically defined division in a system of classification; a class.
Aristotle's modes of objective being, such as quality, quantity, or relation, that are inherent in all things.
Kant's modes of subjective understanding, such as singularity, universality, or particularity, that organize perceptions into knowledge.
A basic logical type of philosophical conception in post-Kantian philosophy.
A property or structural unit of a language, such as a part of speech or a type of phrase.
A specific grammatical defining property of a linguistic unit or class, such as number or gender in the noun and tense or voice in the verb.
A group, often named or numbered, to which items are assigned based on similarity or defined criteria.
This steep and dangerous climb belongs to the most difficult category.
I wouldn't put this book in the same category as the author's first novel.
(mathematics) A collection of objects, together with a transitively closed collection of composable arrows between them, such that every object has an identity arrow, and such that arrow composition is associative.
One well-known category has sets as objects and functions as arrows.
Just as a monoid consists of an underlying set with a binary operation "on top of it" which is closed, associative and with an identity, a category consists of an underlying digraph with an arrow composition operation "on top of it" which is transitively closed, associative, and with an identity at each object. In fact, a category's composition operation, when restricted to a single one of its objects, turns that object's set of arrows (which would all be loops) into a monoid.
One of the highest classes to which the objects of knowledge or thought can be reduced, and by which they can be arranged in a system; an ultimate or undecomposable conception; a predicament.
The categories or predicaments - the former a Greek word, the latter its literal translation in the Latin language - were intended by Aristotle and his followers as an enumeration of all things capable of being named; an enumeration by the summa genera i.e., the most extensive classes into which things could be distributed.
Class; also, state, condition, or predicament; as, we are both in the same category.
There is in modern literature a whole class of writers standing within the same category.
A collection of things sharing a common attribute;
There are two classes of detergents
A general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme
Category Meaning in a Sentence
This novel doesn't fit neatly into any one literary category.
The hurricane was classified as a category 5 storm.
The library is organized by category for easy browsing.
She won the award in the best actress category.
On the website, you can filter products by category.
He fits into the category of people who prefer tea over coffee.
Dinosaurs are a fascinating category of extinct animals.
The recipe falls under the category of comfort food.
The museum's exhibits are arranged by category and time period.
Your blog post should fit into a specific category.
Each category of the game adds a level of difficulty.
In the budget, each category of spending is carefully monitored.
In this category, judges will focus on originality and technique.
The category of best graphic design was highly competitive.
The app's features include sorting tasks by category.
They discussed the category of renewable energy sources in class.
Her artwork defies traditional category classifications.
The grocery store has a special category for organic products.
Category Idioms & Phrases
Cross-category
Involves elements from different groups or classifications.
The team's approach was cross-category, integrating both science and art.
In a category of its own
This means something is unique or exceptional, not easily compared to others.
Her talent is in a category of its own, unmatched by her peers.
A broad category
Refers to a group that includes a wide range of items or subjects.
The broad category of art can encompass everything from painting to sculpture.
Off the category chart
Used to describe something that exceeds normal standards or expectations.
The new movie's success was off the category chart, breaking all previous records.
Under the category of
Used to specify the classification or group something belongs to.
Under the category of renewable resources, solar energy is a key focus.
Fit into the category
Means to belong to a specific group or classification.
His latest invention doesn't easily fit into any existing technology category.
Category by category
Describes examining or sorting things one group at a time.
We went through the list category by category to ensure accuracy.
Top of the category
Means being the best or leading in a particular group.
In the top of the category, their product was recognized as the industry standard.
Category leader
Refers to the dominant item or entity within a specific group.
As a category leader, the company set trends in the tech industry.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called Category?
The term originates from the Latin "categoria," derived from the Greek "kategoria" meaning "accusation" or "predicate."
What is the singular form of Category?
Category.
What is the pronunciation of Category?
/ˈkæt.əˌɡɔːr.i/
What is the root word of Category?
Comes from the Latin "categoria," itself from the Greek "kategoria."
Which vowel is used before Category?
It depends on the context; usually "a" or "the."
Which preposition is used with Category?
In, of, under, among others.
Is Category an adverb?
No.
Is Category a noun or adjective?
Noun.
Which conjunction is used with Category?
And, or, but.
Is Category a negative or positive word?
Neutral.
What is the verb form of Category?
Categorize.
Which article is used with Category?
A or the.
What is the plural form of Category?
Categories.
Is Category a vowel or consonant?
It is a word, not a letter.
How many syllables are in Category?
Four.
What part of speech is Category?
Noun.
What is the opposite of Category?
Individual, item, particular.
Is Category an abstract noun?
Yes.
Is Category a countable noun?
Yes.
Is the Category term a metaphor?
No.
Is the word Category imperative?
No.
What is a stressed syllable in Category?
The first syllable, "cat," is stressed.
What is another term for Category?
Class, type, division.
Is the word Category a Gerund?
No.
How do we divide Category into syllables?
Cat-e-go-ry.
Which determiner is used with Category?
The, a, each, every.
How is Category used in a sentence?
"The hurricane falls into the most dangerous category of storms."
Is Category a collective noun?
No.
Is the word “Category” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Can be either, depending on sentence construction.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
