existential Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Existential as an Adjective
Of or relating to existence.
an existential risk or threat
Concerning the very existence of something, especially with regard to evading extinction.
an existential risk or threat
Of an assertion, etc.: assuming or suggesting the existence of something.
Of or relating to existentialism (“a philosophical movement emphasizing the uniqueness of each human existence in freely making its self-defining choices”).
Relating to part of a clause that indicates existence (for example, there is).
Existential as a Noun
Ellipsis of existential clause (“a clause that indicates the existence of something”).
Ellipsis of existential type (“in a type system: a type that hides the underlying concrete type(s)”).
Existential in a Sentence
an existential risk or threat
Word Forms & Grammar
existential (comparative more existential, superlative most existential)
existential (plural existentials)
Words That Rhyme With Existential
Origin of Existential
Origin 1: The adjective is a learned borrowing from Late Latin existentiālis, exsistentiālis (“coming into or relating to existence”) + English -al (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives; and forming nouns of verbal action). Existentiālis, exsistentiālis are derived from Late Latin existentia, exsistentia (“existence”) + Latin -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship);[1] 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”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”))) + -ia (suffix forming feminine abstract nouns).
Origin 2: The noun is derived from the adjective.
Existential at a Glance
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃl̩/ |
| Meaning | Of or relating to existence |
| Plural | existentials |
| Comparative / superlative | more existential, most existential |
Existential: Your Questions Answered
Is existential an adjective or a noun?
Existential is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is the plural of existential?
The plural of existential is existentials.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of existential?
The comparative form is more existential and the superlative form is most existential.