Fundamental: Meaning, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：essential; basic (fundamental)

fundamental 🔊

/ˌfʌndəˈmentl/

adj.

It means something is the most important part; you can't have the thing without it.

Student pointing to chart showing fundamental basics in classroom

essential; basic 🔊

➕

/ɪˈsenʃl; ˈbeɪsɪk/

adj.

Serving as the necessary foundation or core without which something cannot exist or function.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'fundamentum' (foundation), derived from 'fundus' (bottom) plus suffix '-ment' and '-al'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'FUN-da-MENTAL' – the fun of learning starts with the mental foundation of basics.

📖 Example

In science class, understanding the fundamental method of inquiry is key, as it's the base for all experiments. 🔊 In a science class, realizing the fundamental method of inquiry is crucial because it serves as the foundation for every experiment.

🔗 Collocations

fundamental principle – a basic rule or law that forms the foundation of a system

fundamental change – a deep, essential transformation

fundamental rights – basic human rights that cannot be taken away

🔄 Synonyms

essential (adj.) – Absolutely necessary; extremely important.

basic (adj.) – Forming the base or starting point.

key (adj.) – Of crucial importance.

🚫 Antonyms

superficial (adj.) – Existing only on the surface; not deep or thorough.

secondary (adj.) – Coming after, less important than, or derived from something primary.

unimportant (adj.) – Lacking significance or value.

🌱 Derivatives

fundamentally (adv.) – In a basic or essential way.

fundament (n.) – The foundation or base of something (rare).

📖 Cultural Story

In Western philosophy, 'fundamental' has been used since the Renaissance to describe the first principles of knowledge, notably in Descartes' 'Meditations' and Newton's 'Principia'.