Word
fundamental
Phoneticsfun·da·men·tal, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌfəndəˈmɛnəɫ/
UK/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəl/
Definitions
01essential or basic
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. forming the most important or basic part of something.
adj. serving as a foundation or core basis; essential to the nature of a system or idea.
日本語:基本的※
“Freedom of speech is a fundamental right in many countries.”
“The research team identified a fundamental flaw in the original hypothesis, necessitating a complete revision of the experimental framework.”
Usage
Often used to describe rights, principles, or changes.
Antonyms
02a basic rule or truth
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Academic
n. a basic rule, fact, or idea that other things are based on.
n. a central principle or primary rule that serves as a building block for a complex system of thought.
“The course covers the fundamentals of graphic design, starting with color theory.”
“Before attempting advanced calculus, students must demonstrate a firm grasp of algebraic fundamentals.”
Usage
Frequently used in the plural form 'fundamentals' when referring to education or skills.
03lowest frequency
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Music Technical
n. the lowest frequency of a sound or signal.
n. the lowest frequency of a periodic waveform or the lowest partial of a complex musical tone.
“The fundamental of the note was clear, even with the background noise.”
“The timbre of the instrument is determined by the relationship between the fundamental and its various overtones.”
Usage
In acoustics, it is often referred to as the 'fundamental frequency'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fundamental” in context.
Adjective
01. fundamental aspect
“Communication is a fundamental aspect of any healthy relationship.”
adj + noun
02. fundamental assumption
“The theory is based on the fundamental assumption that markets are always rational.”
adj + noun
03. fundamental challenge
“The lack of clean water is a fundamental challenge facing the developing region.”
adj + noun
04. fundamental change
“The new law will bring about a fundamental change in how taxes are collected.”
adj + noun
05. fundamental difference
“There is a fundamental difference between being busy and being productive.”
adj + noun
06. fundamental importance
“Education is of fundamental importance to the future of our children.”
adj + noun
07. fundamental issue
“The committee failed to address the fundamental issue of funding.”
adj + noun
08. fundamental level
“At a fundamental level, all living things share the same genetic code.”
adj + noun
09. fundamental point
“You are missing the fundamental point of the argument.”
adj + noun
10. fundamental principle
“The fundamental principle of justice is that everyone is equal before the law.”
adj + noun
11. fundamental human
12. fundamental research
Real-World Examples
“Should Meta ultimately lose a case of this scale, it could force fundamental changes to the way young people experience social media.” “In those conditions, the most fundamental chemical reactions in the universe take place.” “O'Neill says there is "so little education that women receive about the fundamental aspects of how their bodies work".” “MRI is among the breakthrough technologies that emerged from fundamental, curiosity-driven science.” 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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/fundamental
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0