fundamentalist

[fuhn-duh-men-tl-ist]

noun

1. an adherent of fundamentalism, a religious movement characterized by a strict belief in the literal interpretation of religious texts.

   radical fundamentalists.

adjective

1. noting or relating to fundamentalism or fundamentalists.

   fundamentalist sects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamentalist¹

First recorded in 1920–25; fundamental ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Related Words

• fanatic 
• zealot