fundamental

fun-da-men-tal · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.

  2. 2.

    A central or primary rule or principle.

  3. 3.

    Affecting or relating to the essential nature of something.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    the fundamentals — the basic principles or facts
  • •
    fundamental rights — basic human rights guaranteed by law
  • •
    get back to fundamentals — return to basic principles

Related words

Antonyms: minor, peripheral, secondary, superficial
See also: basic, essential, foundation, principle
Synonyms: basic, core, essential, foundational, primary

Etymology

From Late Latin fundamentalis, from Latin fundamentum ("foundation"), from fundare ("to found, establish"), from fundus ("bottom, base").