existential

[ eg-zi-sten-shuhl, ek-si- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to existence:

   Does climate change pose an existential threat to humanity?

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of philosophical existentialism; concerned with the nature of human existence as determined by the individual's freely made choices.

existential

/ ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to existence, esp human existence
2. philosophy pertaining to what exists, and is thus known by experience rather than reason; empirical as opposed to theoretical
3. logic denoting or relating to a formula or proposition asserting the existence of at least one object fulfilling a given condition; containing an existential quantifier
4. of or relating to existentialism

noun

1. 1. an existential statement or formula
   2. short for existential quantifier

Derived Forms

• ˌexisˈtentially, adverb

Other Words From

• exis·tential·ly adverb
• nonex·is·tential adjective
• nonex·is·tential·ly adverb
• unex·is·tential adjective
• unex·is·tential·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of existential¹

First recorded in 1685–95, existential is from the Late Latin word existentiālis “relating to existing”; existence, -al ¹

Example Sentences

“We understood the Soviet Union was an existential threat, certainly with its nuclear capabilities, it was, and Russia is, but China is even more sinister. It's more insidious in what they have done under this communist regime.”

From Salon

For eight years, we’ve been trying to explain the existential threat Trump poses to democracy and then, suddenly, the message seems to be: Well, the people have spoken.

From Slate

Rather than dwelling on Trump’s existential threat to democracy as they did after his win in 2016, the party is trying to figure out where they went wrong and where they go next.

From Salon

The Harris campaign—now inexplicably dubbed the Harris Fight Fund—allows that, perhaps, Harris’ voters are hurting from an existential political defeat, one that has reduced morale in the party to a low not seen in two decades.

From Slate

Rail Baltica began as a grand project, but it has now become a strategic imperative: since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Baltics increasingly view their neighbour as an existential threat.

From BBC

Related Words

• experiential