Fundamental — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˌfən-də-ˈmen-tᵊl/ fun·da·men·tal

Meaning & Definition of Fundamental

Fundamental (adjective)

  1. serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function, basic
  2. serving as an original or generating source, primary
  3. of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts, radical; also, of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application

Fundamental (noun)

  1. something fundamental; especially, one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is
  2. the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics is based
  3. the root of a chord

Fundamental (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject

    "the purpose of the course is to furnish students with fundamental knowledge of human reproduction"

    similar: abecedarian, basal, basic, beginning, elemental, elementary, essential, introductory, meat-and-potatoes, rudimental, rudimentary, underlying
    related: primal, primary, prime, simple, crude, primeval, primitive, primordial, rude, uncomplicated, preliminary, preparatory, crucial, important, key
    opposite: advanced
    near: complex, sophisticated, complicated, convoluted, detailed, elaborate, extensive, intricate, developed, evolved, high, higher, refined

Fundamental (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in maxim, axiom

    similar: axiom, maxim, precept, bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation, rule, code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order, moral, principle, value, ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction, convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice, tradition, way, blueprint, canon, formula, guide, guideline, standard

  2. as in core, essence

    similar: body, bulk, burden, centerpiece, core, crux, essence, generality, gist, grist, heart, kernel, keynote, main, marrow, mass, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, pith, pivot, purport, quick, staple, substance, sum, consideration, issue, problem, basis, count, idea, point, purpose, bottom, essential, essentiality, talking point, affair, argument, debate, subject matter, content, matter, motif, motive, question, subject, theme, topic
    opposite: aside, digression, excursion, interjection, parenthesis, tangent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fundamental

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fundamental:

abecedarian, basal, basic, beginning, elemental, elementary, essential, introductory, meat-and-potatoes, rudimental, rudimentary, underlying, axiom, maxim, precept, bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation, rule, code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Fundamental

Words with the opposite meaning of Fundamental:

advanced, aside, digression, excursion, interjection, parenthesis, tangent

Related Words for Fundamental

primal, primary, prime, simple, crude, primeval, primitive, primordial, rude, uncomplicated, preliminary, preparatory, crucial, important, key

Near Antonyms of Fundamental

complex, sophisticated, complicated, convoluted, detailed, elaborate, extensive, intricate, developed, evolved, high, higher, refined

Origin & Etymology of Fundamental

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin fundāmentālis "serving as a foundation," from Latin fundāmentum "foundation, basis" + -ālis -al:1 fundament

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Fundamental

Words & Phrases Containing Fundamental

fundamental group, fundamental law, fundamental particle

Frequently Asked Questions about Fundamental

What does "Fundamental" mean?

"Fundamental" means serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function, basic. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function, basic. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fundamental"?

Other words for "Fundamental" include abecedarian, basal, basic, beginning, elemental, elementary, essential and introductory. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fundamental" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fundamental"?

There are 127 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fundamental". Common alternatives include abecedarian, basal, basic, beginning, elemental, elementary, essential, introductory, meat-and-potatoes and rudimental.

What is the opposite of "Fundamental"?

Antonyms of "Fundamental" include advanced, aside, digression, excursion, interjection, parenthesis and tangent. Near antonyms include complex, sophisticated, complicated and convoluted.

How do you use "Fundamental" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fundamental" in a sentence: "the purpose of the course is to furnish students with fundamental knowledge of human reproduction".

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

"Fundamental" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Fundamental" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Fundamental" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Fundamental"?

"Fundamental" is pronounced /ˌfən-də-ˈmen-tᵊl/ and divided into syllables as fun·da·men·tal.