existential

CEFRC1

/ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃl̩/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Related to human existence, choices, or purpose.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Of or relating to existence.

Examples

  • Thinking about the universe always gives me an existential crisis.

  • Tom is having an existential crisis.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛn(t)ʃəl/
  • /ˌɛksɪ-/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Concerning the very existence of something, especially with regard to evading extinction.

  2. Of an assertion, etc.: assuming or suggesting the existence of something.

  3. Of or relating to existentialism (“a philosophical movement emphasizing the uniqueness of each human existence in freely making its self-defining choices”).

More examples

In context

  • an existential risk or threat

  • Some existential thinkers are concerned with artistic expression only indirectly, that is, they are passionately interested critics and analysts of art works.

  • Here, therefore, we seek to assemble and assess the evidence to provide an overview of how serious trade is as an existential threat to avian taxa in Sundaic Indonesia.

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The philosopher's blank questions about the meaning of life troubled his students.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

The adjective is a learned borrowing from Late Latin existentialis, exsistentialis (“coming into or relating to existence”) + English -al (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives; and forming nouns of verbal action). Existentialis, exsistentialis are derived from Late Latin existentia, exsistentia (“existence”) + Latin -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship); and existentia, exsistentia from Latin existēns, exsistēns (“being, existing; appearing, emerging; becoming”) (the present active participle of existō, exsistō (“to be, exist; to appear, emerge; to become”), from ex- (prefix meaning ‘away; out’) + sistō (“to cause to stand; to place, set; to halt, stop”) (ulti...