existential

[eg-zi-sten-shuhl, ek-si-]

adjective

1. of or relating to existence.

   Does climate change pose an existential threat to humanity?

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of philosophical existentialism; concerned with the nature of human existence as determined by the individual's freely made choices.

existential

/ ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to existence, esp human existence

2. philosophy pertaining to what exists, and is thus known by experience rather than reason; empirical as opposed to theoretical

3. logic denoting or relating to a formula or proposition asserting the existence of at least one object fulfilling a given condition; containing an existential quantifier

4. of or relating to existentialism

noun

1. 1. an existential statement or formula

   2. short for existential quantifier

Other Word Forms

• existentially adverb
• nonexistential adjective
• nonexistentially adverb
• unexistential adjective
• unexistentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of existential¹

First recorded in 1685–95, existential is from the Late Latin word existentiālis “relating to existing”; existence, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Our profession faces existential threats — and I’m not just talking finances.

From Los Angeles Times

With Reform apparently on track to make a major electoral breakthrough next May – something that seemed unthinkable not so long ago – are the Conservatives facing an existential threat in Scotland from their right-wing rivals?

From BBC

Whether China will invade has long been an existential debate in Taiwan.

From BBC

Reapportionment could be much worse than that, potentially an existential threat that pushes them into a minority for another decade.

From Salon

And she really has, over this 15-hour shift, an existential moment where she experiences violence on the job.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• experiential 

When To Use

What does existential mean?

Existential is an adjective meaning “relating to existence,” but what does that even mean? What does anything mean? What is our purpose in the universe? These are existential questions.Existential is often used in relation to existentialism, a philosophical movement that suggests that existence (life, the universe, and everything) has no meaning except for the meaning that individuals create for themselves. Existential is also often used to describe a scenario in which someone or something’s very existence or being is threatened or in question, especially in phrases like existential threat. Example: Though unlikely, an asteroid strike would be an existential threat to the planet.