ontological

American

[on-tl-oj-i-kuhl] / ˌɒn tlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl /

Sometimes ontologic,

adjective

of or relating to ontology, the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such; metaphysical.

Some of the U.S. founders held an ontological belief in natural rights.

Other Word Forms

nonontological adjective
unontological adjective

Etymology

Origin of ontological

First recorded in 1700–10; ontolog(y) ( def. ) + -ical ( def. )

Explanation

Things that have to do with the nature of being are ontological, like your ontological question about the Loch Ness Monster — do we have to have proof in order for something to exist? The study of being, is called ontology, so an ontological argument might investigate whether God — or people, for that matter — really exist. Are we real or just an imagined phenomenon? How do we know we aren't just characters in our creator's mind? These are heavy questions — philosophers including Aristotle, Parmenides, Descartes, Hume, Kant have all weighed in on the ontological question of “what can we be certain exists?”

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing ontological

The Fault in Our Stars

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Frankly in Love

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

City of Bones

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With spacetime, it's applied uncritically to a mathematical description of happenings -- turning a model into an ontological theory on the nature of being.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

Whatever Ramona wanted in the car, she’s experiencing ontological buyer’s remorse in the now.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2025

The premise, and what’s done with it, paint “Laid” into a moral and ontological corner, which it addresses temporarily by literally opening a door.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2024

Without diving into some kind of ontological rumination, I think we can agree that this isn’t really about “existence.”

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

Closely connected, and in a way essentially identical with the ontological problem, is that of the origin, validity, and rational value of the ideas of humanity.

From International Congress of Arts and Science, Volume I Philosophy and Metaphysics by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023