- 1serious and very important; affecting the most central and important parts of something synonym basic There is a fundamental difference between the two points of view. A fundamental change in the organization of health services was required. a question of fundamental importance
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- 2fundamental (to something) central; forming the necessary basis of something synonym essential Hard work is fundamental to success.
- 3[only before noun] (physics) forming the source or base from which everything else is made; not able to be divided any further a fundamental particle
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