existential
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to existence.
Does climate change pose an existential threat to humanity?
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of philosophical existentialism; concerned with the nature of human existence as determined by the individual's freely made choices.
adjective
-
of or relating to existence, esp human existence
-
philosophy pertaining to what exists, and is thus known by experience rather than reason; empirical as opposed to theoretical
-
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
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of or relating to existentialism
noun
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- existentially adverb
- nonexistential adjective
- nonexistentially adverb
- unexistential adjective
- unexistentially adverb
Etymology
Origin of existential
First recorded in 1685–95, existential is from the Late Latin word existentiālis “relating to existing”; existence, -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Once exports become a geopolitical tool, trade partners diversify their sourcing both as insurance—food security is existential—and as a way to push back against unilateral rule changes.
From Barron's
I could try to combat inescapable existential dread by dyeing my hair.
From Salon
That could keep the ball rolling for future growth for these companies — or it could pose an existential risk.
From MarketWatch
Neither the existential questions it forces nor the toll it takes on your body are conducive to dating.
From Los Angeles Times
Bank regulations can limit capital returns, but bank capital is an existential issue for the sector.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
