existential
[ eg-zi-sten-shuhl, ek-si- ]
/ ˌɛg zɪˈstɛn ʃəl, ˌɛk sɪ- /
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adjective
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.
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Origin of existential
OTHER WORDS FROM existential
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use existential in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for existential
existential
/ (ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl) /
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
of or relating to existentialism
noun logic
- an existential statement or formula
- short for existential quantifier
Derived forms of existential
existentially, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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