FUNDAMENTAL


Meaning of FUNDAMENTAL in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ fʌndəment(ə)l ]

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.

You use fundamental to describe things, activities, and principles that are very important or essential. They affect the basic nature of other things or are the most important element upon which other things depend.

Our constitution embodies all the fundamental principles of democracy...

A fundamental human right is being withheld from these people...

= basic

ADJ : usu ADJ n

2.

You use fundamental to describe something which exists at a deep and basic level, and is therefore likely to continue.

But on this question, the two leaders have very fundamental differences...

= profound

ADJ : usu ADJ n

3.

If one thing is fundamental to another, it is absolutely necessary to it, and the second thing cannot exist, succeed, or be imagined without it.

The method they pioneered remains fundamental to research into the behaviour of nerve cells.

= vital

ADJ : v-link ADJ to n

4.

You can use fundamental to show that you are referring to what you consider to be the most important aspect of a situation, and that you are not concerned with less important details.

The fundamental problem lies in their inability to distinguish between reality and invention...

= basic

ADJ : ADJ n

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