- fundamental
- [[t]fʌ̱ndəme̱nt(ə)l[/t]]
♦♦♦1) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You use fundamental to describe things, activities, and principles that are very important or essential. They affect the basic nature of other things or are the most important element upon which other things depend.
Our constitution embodies all the fundamental principles of democracy...
A fundamental human right is being withheld from these people...
Technical skill is a fundamental basis for most, if not all, great art.
Syn:2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You use fundamental to describe something which exists at a deep and basic level, and is therefore likely to continue.But on this question, the two leaders have very fundamental differences...
Amnesty says there are fundamental flaws in their military justice system.
Syn:3) ADJ: v-link ADJ to n If one thing is fundamental to another, it is absolutely necessary to it, and the second thing cannot exist, succeed, or be imagined without it.He believes better relations with China are fundamental to the well-being of the area...
The method they pioneered remains fundamental to research into the behaviour of nerve cells.
Syn:4) ADJ: ADJ n You can use fundamental to show that you are referring to what you consider to be the most important aspect of a situation, and that you are not concerned with less important details.The fundamental problem lies in their inability to distinguish between reality and invention...
It was not simply a practical matter, but a fundamental question of principle.
Syn:5) ADJ: ADJ n Fundamental research into a subject is concerned with gaining knowledge about the subject itself, rather than its practical aspects.Industry leaders want scientists to engage in fundamental research, not applied research.
English dictionary. 2008.
