existential JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU
/ɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl/ · ex.is.ten.ti.al
noun
- An ellipsis of existential clause. The existential in the sentence 'There exists a solution' is often omitted.
- An ellipsis of existential type. The existential type in programming languages is used to represent the type of a value that may or may not exist.
adjective
- Of, or relating to existence. Existential questions often concern the meaning of life and the universe.
- Concerning the very existence of, especially with regard to extinction. The existential threat of climate change has sparked global concern.
- Based on experience; empirical. Existential evidence in scientific research is often gathered through observation and experimentation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The term 'existential' has been used in various contexts, including philosophy, literature, and music. For example, the existentialist movement in 20th-century philosophy, led by thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger, emphasized individual freedom and choice.