FUNDAMENTAL
Dictionary entry overview: What does fundamental mean?
• FUNDAMENTAL (noun)
The noun FUNDAMENTAL has 1 sense:
1. the lowest tone of a harmonic series
Familiarity information: FUNDAMENTAL used as a noun is very rare.
• FUNDAMENTAL (adjective)
The adjective FUNDAMENTAL has 3 senses:
1. serving as an essential component
2. being or involving basic facts or principles
3. far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something
Familiarity information: FUNDAMENTAL used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• FUNDAMENTAL (noun)
Meaning:
The lowest tone of a harmonic series
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
first harmonic; fundamental; fundamental frequency
Hypernyms ("fundamental" is a kind of...):
harmonic (a tone that is a component of a complex sound)
• FUNDAMENTAL (adjective)
Meaning:
Serving as an essential component
Synonyms:
primal; key; fundamental; central; cardinal
Context examples:
a cardinal rule / the central cause of the problem / an example that was fundamental to the argument / computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure
Similar:
important; of import (of great significance or value)
Meaning:
Being or involving basic facts or principles
Synonyms:
rudimentary; fundamental; underlying
Context examples:
the fundamental laws of the universe / a fundamental incomatibility between them / these rudimentary truths / underlying principles
Similar:
basic (pertaining to or constituting a base or basis)
Meaning:
Far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something
Synonyms:
fundamental; profound
Context examples:
the fundamental revolution in human values that has occurred / the book underwent fundamental changes / committed the fundamental error of confusing spending with extravagance / profound social changes
Similar:
important; significant (important in effect or meaning)
