adjective
existential
ehg-zih-STEHNSHL
adjective
1
Relating to existence, especially the fact or nature of being alive.
"The climate crisis poses an existential threat to low-lying island nations."
2
Relating to existentialism, the philosophy focused on individual freedom, choice, and meaning.
"He went through an existential crisis after turning forty, questioning the point of it all."
How to Use Existential
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with the basic fact of existing, or with deep questions about the meaning and purpose of life.
Common pairings
existential threat
existential crisis
existential question
existential dread
Word Forms
more existential comparative, most existential superlative
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Etymology
From Late Latin existentialis, built from existentia ("existence") plus the adjective ending "-al."