fundamental
fuhn-duh-MEHN-tuhl
Fundamental (adj) means forming the base or foundation of something; essential. Example: “Trust is fundamental to any relationship.”
adj
1
Forming the base or foundation of something; essential.
"Trust is fundamental to any relationship."
"They disagreed on a fundamental point of the plan."
"Clean water is a fundamental need for every living thing."
noun
1
A basic principle or building-block idea.
"The coach drilled the fundamentals of passing every practice."
"Before learning advanced tricks, you must master the fundamentals of balance."
"Good teachers go back to the fundamentals when their pupils get confused."
How to use fundamental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething basic and essential — the foundation everything else is built on.
Common pairings
fundamental principle
fundamental right
back to fundamentals
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Word forms
- Plural
- fundamentals
- Comparative
- more fundamental
- Superlative
- most fundamental
Fill the gap
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Trust is _____ to any relationship.
Etymology
From Late Latin fundamentalis, from Latin fundamentum, "foundation," from fundus, "bottom."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fundamental
mental
dental
rental
parental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
incidental
monumental
regimental
See all rhymes for fundamental →
Frequently asked questions
What does “fundamental” mean?
The word “fundamental” means forming the base or foundation of something; essential. In plain terms, something basic and essential — the foundation everything else is built on.
How do you pronounce “fundamental”?
“Fundamental” is pronounced fuhn-duh-MEHN-tuhl (/ˌfʌn.dəˈmɛn.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fundamental” in a sentence?
Here is “fundamental” used in a sentence: “Trust is fundamental to any relationship.”
What is another word for “fundamental”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fundamental” include groundlaying.
What part of speech is “fundamental”?
Depending on how it is used, “fundamental” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “fundamental” come from?
The word “fundamental” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin fundamentalis, from Latin fundamentum, "foundation," from fundus, "bottom.".
Is “fundamental” a common word?
“Fundamental” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “fundamental” have?
“Fundamental” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: forming the base or foundation of something; essential.
What is the difference between 'fundamental' and 'basic'?
Both refer to something essential, but 'fundamental' stresses that something forms the base on which everything else depends, while 'basic' can simply mean simple or introductory. A fundamental principle is indispensable; a basic skill may just be elementary.
What is the difference between 'fundamental' and 'essential'?
'Fundamental' means forming the foundation of something, while 'essential' means absolutely necessary. They often overlap, but 'fundamental' points to a base or starting point, whereas 'essential' points to what cannot be left out.
When should you use 'fundamental' instead of 'important'?
Use 'fundamental' when something is not just important but foundational, something everything else is built on. 'Important' describes anything of value, while 'fundamental' implies that removing it would make the whole structure fail.
How is 'fundamentals' used as a noun?
As a noun, especially in the plural 'fundamentals,' the word means the basic principles or core ideas of a subject, as in 'the fundamentals of grammar.' These are the building-block concepts everything else rests on.
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