foundational — forming a basis or foundation for something; fundamental and essential
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: forming a basis or foundation for something; fundamental and essential
Pronunciation (IPA): /faʊnˈdeɪʃənəl/
Example Sentences
- Without foundational makeup, your whole look might just crumble like a poorly built house!
- Understanding grammar is foundational to mastering a foreign language.
- The professor emphasized that these foundational concepts would appear throughout the semester.
foundational
ADJECTIVE[/faʊnˈdeɪʃənəl/]
forming a basis or foundation for something; fundamental and essential
The foundational stones of the cathedral are laid before any wall can rise.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This word derives from Latin fundare, meaning 'to lay a foundation' or 'to establish,' which itself stems from fundus, meaning 'bottom' or 'base.' The term originally referenced the foundational work in construction, particularly the digging and laying of ground before building a structure.
Breakdown
fund- (Latin fundus, bottom/base) + -ation (noun suffix indicating action or result) + -al (adjective suffix meaning 'of or relating to'), creating the sense of 'relating to or serving as a foundation.'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Without foundational makeup, your whole look might just crumble like a poorly built house!”
“Understanding grammar is foundational to mastering a foreign language.”
“The professor emphasized that these foundational concepts would appear throughout the semester.”
“My roommate said trust is foundational to friendship, right before borrowing my last $20 and disappearing.”
“These foundational skills in coding will help you build more complex programs later.”
📚Related Words
Antonyms
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