# fundamentals

/ˌfəndəˈmɛnəɫz/ (US) · /fˌʌndəmˈɛntəlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fundamentals
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. basic principles

noun · CEFR B2

the basic rules or skills you must learn to understand a subject or do an activity well.

For teachers: the essential and foundational principles or skills upon which a more complex system or practice is built.

- Before you start playing songs, you need to master the fundamentals of the guitar.
- The coach insisted that the team return to the fundamentals of defense after several games where basic positioning errors led to unnecessary losses.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form.

### 2. economic data

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the basic facts about a company's health, like its profits and debts, used to decide if its stock is a good buy.

For teachers: the underlying economic and financial data of a company or economy used to determine its intrinsic value.

- The stock price is falling, but the company's fundamentals remain very strong.
- While market sentiment was driven by short-term panic, analysts argued that the underlying fundamentals of the tech sector justified a long-term investment strategy.

Usage: Refers specifically to fundamental analysis data in a financial context.

## Examples

- You must master the fundamentals of grammar first.
- Despite the market's daily price swings, the company's strong fundamentals suggest it will be successful in the long term.
- While the athlete possessed raw talent, his coach insisted on a rigorous return to the fundamentals of footwork and balance to ensure his performance remained consistent under pressure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.