Existential — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl/ ex·is·ten·tial

Meaning & Definition of Existential

Existential (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or affirming existence
  2. grounded in existence or the experience of existence, empirical
  3. having being in time and space

Existential (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. based on observation or experience

    "child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim believed that fairy tales help children cope with their existential anxieties and dilemmas"

    similar: empirical, experiential, experimental, objective, observational
    related: actual, factual, genuine, hard, material, real, accepted, established, tried, tried-and-true, indisputable, undeniable, demonstrable, provable, verifiable
    opposite: nonempirical, theoretical, unempirical
    near: conjectural, hypothetical, speculative, unproven, unsubstantiated, metaphysical, transcendentalist, visionary

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Existential

The most common words with a similar meaning to Existential:

empirical, experiential, experimental, objective, observational

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Existential

Words with the opposite meaning of Existential:

nonempirical, theoretical, unempirical

Related Words for Existential

actual, factual, genuine, hard, material, real, accepted, established, tried, tried-and-true, indisputable, undeniable, demonstrable, provable, verifiable

Near Antonyms of Existential

conjectural, hypothetical, speculative, unproven, unsubstantiated, metaphysical, transcendentalist, visionary

Word Forms of Existential

Derived words: existentially (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Existential

borrowed from Late Latin existentiālis, exsistentiālis, from existentia, exsistentia existence + Latin -ālis -al:1; in the 19th and 20th centuries in part as translation of Danish existentiel (later eksistentiel) & German existentiell

First known use: 1656

Words & Phrases Containing Existential

existential quantifier

Frequently Asked Questions about Existential

What does "Existential" mean?

"Existential" means of, relating to, or affirming existence. As an adjective, it is defined as: of, relating to, or affirming existence.

What is another word for "Existential"?

Other words for "Existential" include empirical, experiential, experimental, objective and observational. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Existential" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Existential"?

There are 20 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Existential". Common alternatives include empirical, experiential, experimental, objective and observational.

What is the opposite of "Existential"?

Antonyms of "Existential" include nonempirical, theoretical and unempirical. Near antonyms include conjectural, hypothetical, speculative and unproven.

How do you use "Existential" in a sentence?

Examples of "Existential" in a sentence: "child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim believed that fairy tales help children cope with their existential anxieties and dilemmas".

Is "Existential" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Existential" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Existential"?

"Existential" is pronounced /ˌeg-(ˌ)zi-ˈsten(t)-shəl/ and divided into syllables as ex·is·ten·tial.

What is the origin of the word "Existential"?

"Existential" comes from borrowed from Late Latin existentiālis, exsistentiālis, from existentia, exsistentia existence + Latin -ālis -al:1; in the 19th and 20th centuries in part as translation of Danish existentiel (later eksistentiel) & German existentiell. First known use: 1656.