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

Other Word Forms

• existentially adverb
• nonexistential adjective
• nonexistentially adverb
• unexistential adjective
• unexistentially 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

Whether it is facing an existential threat, however, remains to be seen.

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In the play, two minor characters from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” bumble about, confused about their role in the prince’s drama, and wander into existential discussions about the search for meaning.

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A couple of signings underperforming in their first three months at Anfield, a superstar showing his age, and a few individual errors can be the difference between title defense and existential crisis.

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Films are a chance to work out these nagging, existential neuroses that live in the back of the mind, the type that overwhelm to the point of panic if thought about for too long.

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So I put out a call: send me your Thanksgiving quandaries, your culinary existential crises, your “is this normal?” kitchen confessions.

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Related Words

• experiential 

When To Use

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.