fundamentally

American  

[fuhn-duh-men-tl-ee] / ˌfʌn dəˈmɛn tl i /

adverb

1. in a fundamental and essential way; centrally and foundationally.

   a nine-point plan that will fundamentally transform our system of eldercare.

2. as regards the basic nature, character, or truth of something; basically and often emphatically.

   Fundamentally, they just want their independence.

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Other Word Forms

• nonfundamentally adverb
• unfundamentally adverb

Etymology

Origin of fundamentally

First recorded in 1600–20; fundamental ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Such flexibility could fundamentally reshape building design, allowing architects to think beyond single towers and instead create interconnected structures where movement flows through entire developments rather than up and down individual shafts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

But several justices said that interpretation would fundamentally reshape how Americans and people living around the world understand the US birthright citizenship process.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

“But then a feeling that the way that I was connecting through this kind of mediated platform was also fundamentally disrupting my sense of self.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

"This fundamentally changes our understanding of fluid dynamics."

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

And that's what worries me—if he cares so much about a car, deep down inside the two of us must be fundamentally different.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins