Fundamental ˌfʌndəˈmentl Adjective Principles Scientific Method Privacy Question/Problem/Issue

• the fundamental principles of scientific method
• you have a fundamental right to privacy.
• a fundamental question/problem/issue
• a question of fundamental importance

fundamental

1. serious and very important; affecting the most central and important parts of something
• SYNONYM basic
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/basic_1
• the fundamental principles of scientific method
• You have a fundamental right to privacy.
• a fundamental question/problem/issue
• a question of fundamental importance
• This principle is absolutely fundamental.
• There is a fundamental difference between the two points of view.
• A fundamental change in the organization of health services was required.

Extra Examples

• I think they made a very fundamental mistake.
• An open system of criminal justice is a fundamental requirement of any democratic society.
• Living without war is a fundamental freedom.
• The fundamental dilemma remains: in a tolerant society, should we tolerate intolerance?
2. central; forming the necessary basis of something
• SYNONYM essential
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/essential_2
• Hard work is fundamental to success.
• Low interest rates are fundamental for growth.

Extra Examples

• We consider these freedoms fundamental to democracy.
• Improved funding is fundamental to the success of the project.
3. forming the source or base from which everything else is made; not able to be divided any further
• a fundamental particle

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from French fondamental, or late Latin fundamentalis, from Latin fundamentum, from fundare ‘to found’.