ontological

Sometimes onto·logic,

[on-tl-oj-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to ontology, the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such; metaphysical.

   Some of the U.S. founders held an ontological belief in natural rights.

Other Word Forms

• nonontological adjective
• unontological adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ontological¹

First recorded in 1700–10; ontolog(y) ( def. ) + -ical ( def. )

Example Sentences

Whatever Ramona wanted in the car, she’s experiencing ontological buyer’s remorse in the now.

From Salon

The premise, and what’s done with it, paint “Laid” into a moral and ontological corner, which it addresses temporarily by literally opening a door.

From Los Angeles Times

Without diving into some kind of ontological rumination, I think we can agree that this isn’t really about “existence.”

From New York Times

Speakers also delved into the consciousness of primates, spiders and plants, the ontological status of virtual reality and dreams and the implications of dementia and other pathological states.

From Scientific American

The epistemological and ontological nihilism of the closed cube argument frankly implodes upon itself.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• existential 
• metaphysical 
• phenomenological