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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

First recorded in 1685–95, existential is from the Late Latin word existentiālis “relating to existing”; see existence, -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM existential

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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
  1. an existential statement or formula
  2. short for existential quantifier

Derived forms of existential

existentially, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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