noun
Uncommon
fundamentalist
Fundamentalist (noun) means a person who insists on a strict, literal interpretation of a religion's core texts. Example: “The documentary interviewed fundamentalists from several faiths.”
noun
1
A person who insists on a strict, literal interpretation of a religion's core texts.
"The documentary interviewed fundamentalists from several faiths."
2
An investor who bases decisions on a company's underlying financial data rather than market trends.
"As a fundamentalist, she studies earnings reports rather than stock charts."
How to use fundamentalist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who takes a strict, back-to-basics approach — most often used of religion, sometimes of investing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- fundamentalists
Fill the gap
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The documentary interviewed _____ from several faiths.
Etymology
From fundamental + -ist, after a series of early-1900s pamphlets called "The Fundamentals."
Class of 1900
fundamentalist joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fundamentalist
realist
vocalist
idealist
finalist
loyalist
medalist
socialist
herbalist
mentalist
capitalist
journalist
specialist
See all rhymes for fundamentalist →
Frequently asked questions
What does “fundamentalist” mean?
The word “fundamentalist” means a person who insists on a strict, literal interpretation of a religion's core texts. In plain terms, someone who takes a strict, back-to-basics approach — most often used of religion, sometimes of investing.
How do you use “fundamentalist” in a sentence?
Here is “fundamentalist” used in a sentence: “The documentary interviewed fundamentalists from several faiths.”
What part of speech is “fundamentalist”?
“Fundamentalist” is a noun.
Where does the word “fundamentalist” come from?
The word “fundamentalist” dates back to around 1900. From fundamental + -ist, after a series of early-1900s pamphlets called "The Fundamentals.".
Is “fundamentalist” a common word?
“Fundamentalist” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fundamentalist” have?
“Fundamentalist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who insists on a strict, literal interpretation of a religion's core texts.
