fundamentally

[fuhn-duh-men-tl-ee]

adverb

1. in a fundamental and essential way; centrally and foundationally.

   a nine-point plan that will fundamentally transform our system of eldercare.

2. as regards the basic nature, character, or truth of something; basically and often emphatically.

   Fundamentally, they just want their independence.

Other Word Forms

• nonfundamentally adverb
• unfundamentally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamentally¹

First recorded in 1600–20; fundamental ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Its staffing of 37 employees to mitigate risk for more than 10 million people, it said, was “fundamentally inadequate.”

From Los Angeles Times

He told me the systems designed to protect young users were fundamentally inadequate.

From BBC

Something fundamentally changed for the Dodgers on Wednesday night: They found their ninth-inning pitcher.

From Los Angeles Times

A ruling against this principle would fundamentally redefine what it means to be American.

From Salon

It stated that "tattooing is fundamentally a medical procedure, and its growing popularity does not reduce the associated risks".

From BBC