fundamental

noun

(generic, singular) A basic truth, elementary concept, principle, rule, or law. An individual fundamental will often serve as a building block used to form a complex idea.

(generic, plural) A collection of essential component ideas that are often grouped together to serve as the foundational basis of a complex idea.

(physics) The lowest frequency of a periodic waveform.

(music) The lowest partial of a complex tone.

adjective

Essential; extremely important.

Related to a foundation, base, or basis; serving as a foundation.

Roots

fundusfund- · Latin · bottom

Words related to fundamental

nonbasicadj fundamentallyadv keyadj profoundadj tenetsn essentialnessn pivotaladj coessential rationalen metaphysicn necessitationn essentializev cornerstonesn primallyadv underliev essentialityn subjacentadj truthsn

Synonyms & related words for fundamental

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of fundamental — including underlying, primal, basic, foundational, rudimentary, principles. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to fundamental

Explore words related to fundamental — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include nonbasic, fundamentally, key, profound, tenets, essentialness, pivotal, coessential. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for fundamental

Common synonyms for fundamental include underlying, primal, basic, foundational, rudimentary, principles, essential, fundament — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does fundamental come from?

The word fundamental breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root fund-, from Latin fundus (“bottom”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.