fundamental

Pronunciation: fun-duh-MEN-tul

adjective

Difficulty: common

Definition of fundamental

Forming the essential and foundational basis or core of something; of primary and central importance, often serving as a starting point for further development or understanding.

Origin of fundamental

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: fundamentum

Original meaning: foundation, base

How it evolved: Initially used to refer to physical foundations of structures, the term evolved to encompass abstract concepts like basic principles or essential elements.

The word 'fundamental' originates from Late Latin 'fundamentalis', which stems from the root 'fundamentum', meaning foundation or base.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember fundamental

Think of 'fundamental' as the 'foundation of the mental'—the base or core knowledge that supports everything else.

Synonyms for fundamental

Antonyms of fundamental

fundamental in a Sentence

  1. A fundamental understanding of algebra is crucial for tackling more advanced topics in mathematics.
  2. The right to free speech is considered a fundamental principle in democratic societies.
  3. Her research focuses on the fundamental mechanisms that drive cellular regeneration.

fundamental in Literature & Culture

The word 'fundamental' is often invoked in political speeches, philosophical treatises, and legal documents to emphasize core values or principles, such as 'fundamental rights' or 'fundamental freedoms.'

Usage Notes

The word 'fundamental' is often used in contexts requiring precision, such as academic, scientific, or philosophical discussions. Be cautious not to overuse it in casual speech, where simpler synonyms like 'basic' might suffice.

Why fundamental Matters for GRE & SAT

Understanding 'fundamental' and its related words helps test-takers grasp questions that deal with core concepts, principles, and foundational ideas in reading comprehension and analytical writing.

Word Family

fundament (noun)
A foundation or underlying basis.
fundamentally (adverb)
In a basic or foundational way.
fundamentalism (noun)
A strict adherence to basic principles, often in a religious or ideological context.
fundamentalist (noun)
A person who strictly adheres to fundamental principles.

Did You Know?

  • The term 'fundamental' is frequently used in physics to describe basic forces, such as gravity and electromagnetism, which govern the universe.
  • In music, the 'fundamental tone' is the lowest frequency of a sound wave, forming the basis of a musical note.
  • The word gained political significance in the 20th century with the rise of movements like religious fundamentalism.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with F

  • fabricate — invent in order to deceive
  • fabricate — invent in order to deceive
  • facetious — treating serious issues with inappropriate humor
  • facetious — treating serious issues with inappropriate humor
  • facilitate — To make an action or process easier
  • facilitate — To make an action or process easier
  • facilitate — To make an action or process easier
  • facilitate — To make an action or process easier
  • factious — causing division or disagreement
  • factious — causing division or disagreement

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