fundamental
nounadjectivecommon in dialogue
- Canada//ˌfʌn.dəˈmɛn.təl//
- Canada/[fʌn.dəˈmɛn.tɫ̩]/
- Australia//ˌfɐn.dəˈmen.təl//
- Australia/[fɐn.dəˈmen.tɫ̩]/
A basic truth, elementary concept, principle, rule, or law. An individual fundamental will often serve as a building block used to form a complex idea.
noun
- 1
A basic truth, elementary concept, principle, rule, or law. An individual fundamental will often serve as a building block used to form a complex idea.
Personal leadership is a fundamental of successful government.
- 2
A collection of essential component ideas that are often grouped together to serve as the foundational basis of a complex idea.
one of the fundamentals of linear algebra
When any one offers me a compleat Catalogue of his Fundamentals, he does not unreaſonably demand me to quit mine for nothing[…]
Absolute or Ultimate Truth... may be for ever unattainable... the fundamentals of to-day... may in the fullness of time be displaced by still more fundamental conceptions.
- 3
The lowest frequency of a periodic waveform.
- 4
The lowest partial of a complex tone.
Etymology
From Late Latin fundamentālis, from Latin fundamentum (“foundation”), from fundō (“to lay the foundation (of something), to found”), from fundus (“bottom”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰudʰmḗn.
adjective
- 1
Related to a foundation, base, or basis; serving as a foundation.
- 2
Essential; extremely important.
a fundamental truth; a fundamental axiom; a fundamental element; fundamental principle; fundamental law
A need for belonging seems fundamental to humans.
Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. […] But the scandals kept coming, […]. A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul. Instead it offers fixes and patches.
Forms
- plural
- fundamentals
- comparative
- more fundamental
- superlative
- most fundamental
fundamental · A basic truth, elementary concept, principle, rule, or law. An individual fundamental will often serve as a building block used to form a complex…
fundamentally · In a fundamental or basic sense; reaching the very core of…funded · Having received financial support; paid for.funding · The action of the verb fund.