Fundamental
Forming the essential base or core; central, foundational, and necessary for something's existence or operation.
adjectiveFundamental
Forming the essential base or core; central, foundational, and necessary for something's existence or operation.
adjectiveImagine This
Picture a towering building under construction. The crew pours a wide, sturdy foundation first; without it, the rest of the structure would topple. The foundation is the fundamental base that makes everything else possible.
Sounds Like
FUN-duh-MEN-tl
Looks Like
Resembles foundation or basis; shares the fund- root related to base
Remember This
Etymology: fundamental comes from Latin fundamentum 'base, foundation' from fundus 'bottom'. In math and science, fundamental laws or concepts are the basic building blocks you must understand first.
Other Forms
Connect With
foundation, basis, core, essential, underlying, cornerstone
Note
Fundamental is more formal and indicates essential, underlying base. Do not confuse with 'basic' in casual speech; 'fundamental' emphasizes necessity and core importance. As an adjective, it can pair with 'principles', 'rights', or 'concepts'.