fundamentally
gb/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəli/ us/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəli/
B2
English
~ 5800
alapvetően, alapvetően eltérő, alapvetően különböző
B2
1
alapvetően
B2
Usage pattern:
fundamentally [adjective] / fundamentally [changes/happens]
She is fundamentally honest, even if she sometimes makes mistakes.
Alapvetően becsületes, még ha néha hibázik is.
The proposal is fundamentally flawed and needs to be rewritten.
A javaslat alapvetően hibás, és újra kell írni.
Their business model is fundamentally sound, despite recent challenges.
The two cars are fundamentally the same, with only minor design differences.
This law would fundamentally change how the healthcare system works.
Learner examples
He is fundamentally a kind person.
Ő alapvetően kedves ember.
The plan is fundamentally wrong.
A terv alapvetően rossz.
These two phones are fundamentally the same.
This rule will fundamentally change our work.
The story is fundamentally about love and family.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "fundamentally" with "basically" and use them in very casual speech where "basically" sounds more natural (e.g., in relaxed conversation). Another mistake is saying *"in fundamentally"* or *"on fundamentally"*; unlike "in principle", "fundamentally" is used alone before an adjective or verb, as in "fundamentally different" or "fundamentally change".
Meaning
in an essential, basic way
Collocations
fundamentally important
|fundamentally flawed
|fundamentally sound
|fundamentally the same
|fundamentally change
|fundamentally similar
Synonyms
essentially (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech and writing.)
|
basically (More informal and sometimes less strong; can also sound a bit vague or casual.)
|
at heart (Less formal and a bit more emotional or personal; often used about people.)
Antonyms
superficially (Focuses on only the surface level, which is the opposite of looking at the basic nature.)
|
incidentally (Refers to things that are minor or not central, the opposite of what is basic and central.)
Themes
thinking
|communication
|academia
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that is about the most basic and important part of something, not the small details.
In a way that concerns the most basic and important nature or structure of something, rather than its details or surface features.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
fundamentally [different/opposed/incompatible]
Our goals are fundamentally different from theirs.
A céljaink alapvetően eltérnek az övéiktől.
The two parties have fundamentally opposed views on immigration.
A két pártnak alapvetően ellentétes nézetei vannak a bevándorlásról.
Their approaches to education are fundamentally incompatible.
Science and pseudoscience are fundamentally different methods of understanding the world.
We disagree not on details, but on something fundamentally deeper.
Learner examples
Their ideas are fundamentally different.
Az elképzeléseik alapvetően különböznek.
My values are fundamentally different from his.
Az én értékrendem alapvetően eltér az övétől.
These two systems are fundamentally opposed.
Our views on this topic are fundamentally at odds.
The two plans are not the same; they are fundamentally different.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"very fundamentally different"*, which can sound redundant because "fundamentally" already expresses a strong degree. It is usually enough to say "fundamentally different" without "very".
Meaning
in a deeply different way
Collocations
fundamentally different
|fundamentally opposed
|fundamentally incompatible
|fundamentally at odds
|fundamentally contradictory
Synonyms
radically (Emphasizes a very large or complete difference or change; often a bit stronger in tone.)
|
profoundly (Stresses depth of difference, often with a thoughtful or serious tone.)
Antonyms
essentially (When used in comparisons ("essentially the same"), it suggests that things are mostly the same, the opposite of being fundamentally different.)
|
basically (In phrases like "basically the same", it signals minor differences only, opposing the idea of deep, basic difference.)
Themes
thinking
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show that things are very different at a deep, basic level, not just a little bit different.
Used to say that two or more things are different in their most basic and important features, not just in small details.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fundamentally
IPA
GB/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəli/
US/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəli/
Syllables & stress
fun - da - ment - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ment)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fundamentally
- Plural: fundamentallies
Word family
Forms
fundamentallies
noun
Core family
Related words
foundational
adjective
founder
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unfounded
adjective
Expressions
fundamentally speaking
1/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
considering only basic aspects
Used before a statement to show that you are talking only about the most basic and important facts, not all the details.
Examples
- Fundamentally speaking, the company is healthy, despite recent losses.
- Fundamentally speaking, we both want the same thing.
- Fundamentally speaking, democracy depends on free and fair elections.