fundamental

[fuhn-duh-men-tl]

adjective

1. serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis; basic; underlying.

   fundamental principles;

   the fundamental structure.

   Synonyms: primary, indispensable

2. of, relating to, or affecting the foundation or basis.

   a fundamental revision.

3. being an original or primary source.

   a fundamental idea.

4. Music.,  (of a chord) having its root as its lowest note.

noun

1. a basic principle, rule, law, or the like, that serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part.

   to master the fundamentals of a trade.

2. Also called fundamental tone. Also called fundamental note,. Music.

   1. the root of a chord.

   2. the generator of a series of harmonics.

3. Physics.,  the component of lowest frequency in a composite wave.

fundamental

/ ˌfʌndəˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or comprising a foundation; basic

2. of, involving, or comprising a source; primary

3. music denoting or relating to the principal or lowest note of a harmonic series

4. of or concerned with the component of lowest frequency in a complex vibration

noun

1. a principle, law, etc, that serves as the basis of an idea or system

2. 1. the principal or lowest note of a harmonic series

   2. the bass note of a chord in root position

3. Also called: fundamental frequency.  first harmonic. physics

   1. the component of lowest frequency in a complex vibration

   2. the frequency of this component

Other Word Forms

• fundamentality noun
• fundamentalness noun
• fundamentally adverb
• nonfundamental adjective
• nonfundamentally adverb
• unfundamental adjective
• unfundamentally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamental¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin fundāmentālis “of, belonging to a foundation”; fundament, -al ¹

Example Sentences

However, fundamentals are still challenged, and valuation inflated, against the backdrop of stiff competition.

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The short squeeze forcing the price inexorably higher at present is building on fundamental drivers that have been apparent throughout 2025.

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OpenAI’s model is flawed because it doesn’t scale well, which is the fundamental issue.

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While the fundamentals of the bull market seem “solid,” the S&P 500 may be vulnerable as it hasn’t seen a major pullback since surging from its April low, according to Arone.

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The Vatican remains steadfast in its fundamental teachings, even as Leo brings an entirely new atmosphere to the church with events like the first hip-hop performance at the Vatican.

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Related Words

• central 
• constitutional 
• crucial 
• elemental 
• elementary 
• essential 
• indispensable 
• integral 
• intrinsic 
• major 
• necessary 
• paramount 
• principal 
• radical 
• significant 
• structural 
• theoretical 
• underlying 
• vital