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

Many of us are experiencing tremendous pain right now; physical, spiritual, emotional or existential; with the weight of the world pressing down.

From Salon

But any existential panic ignited by that slow start ultimately was short-lived.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think it’s f**king hilarious. Hilarious to watch the swamp struggle with the existential crisis that’s been shoved in their faces by the American people,” Santos said, chalking up the pushback to sour grapes.

From Salon

Finding the right balance between humor and existential dread is perhaps the biggest challenge of staging “Godot.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s as if the director herself has run into an existential choice: to show women in the fullness of their complications, frustrated and abandoned?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• experiential

More About Existential

What does existential mean?

Existential is an adjective meaning “relating to existence,” but what does that even mean? What does anything mean? What is our purpose in the universe? These are existential questions.

Existential is often used in relation to existentialism, a philosophical movement that suggests that existence (life, the universe, and everything) has no meaning except for the meaning that individuals create for themselves. Existential is also often used to describe a scenario in which someone or something’s very existence or being is threatened or in question, especially in phrases like existential threat. 

Example: Though unlikely, an asteroid strike would be an existential threat to the planet.

Where does existential come from?

Existential is the adjective form of existence. Existential, existence, and exist all ultimately derive from the Latin verb ex(s)istere, meaning “to exist, appear, emerge.” The first records of existential in English come from the 1600s.

By the 1800s and 1900s, the use of existential had gained importance in philosophy of existentialism. Philosophers and writers like Sören Kierkegaard, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Albert Camus tangled with questions of existence. People who subscribe to this philosophy are called existentialists. They often come to the conclusion that life has no meaning by itself, and that since humans have the freedom to make their own choices, they have the responsibility to do so and to give meaning to life. Of course, that’s a big responsibility, and existentialism often deals with the existential anxiety and fear that come with it, especially in the face of mortality—that fact that one day our existence will end.

Relatedly, but less philosophically and more practically, existential is applied to situations that threaten to wipe something out, such as a species, as in Poaching poses an existential threat to elephants. It is also used in cases where someone has big questions about who they are, as in After getting fired from my dream job, I’m having an existential crisis.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to existential?

• existentially (adverb)
• existentialism (noun)
• existentialist (noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with existential? 

 

• exist
• existence

What are some words that often get used in discussing existential?

• threat 
• angst 
• crisis
• question
• issue
• meaning

How is existential used in real life?

Existential is frequently used in the context of the philosophy of existentialism. In everyday speech, it’s generally applied to situations in which something’s existence is at stake or when reflecting on deep human problems. It is often used to modify words like angst, threat, crisis, and question.

I say this as someone who respects your work, but this is too important to “get wrong”. Global warming is an existential threat and treating it as a partisan blood sport or game is dooming our chances of survival. Also, it’s verifiable fact that the cost of NOT acting is greater.

— Emma Dawson (@DawsonEJ) February 21, 2020

I voted on Monday in hopes of curbing existential anxiety. It didn't quite work. 😬

— Caitlin 🏳️‍🌈🖖 (@walshcaitlin) February 28, 2020

“So… what do you look for in a partner?”

“Existential sadness.”

— Moses Sumney (@MosesSumney) September 30, 2019

 

 

Try using existential!

Is existential used correctly in the following sentence?

This philosophy course is intended to tackle a lot of existential questions, like what it means to be human.