fundamentally
gb/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəli/ us/fˌʌndəmˈɛntəli/
B2
English
~ 5800
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
in an essential, basic way
In a way that is about the most basic and important part of something, not the small details.
Usage pattern:
fundamentally [adjective] / fundamentally [changes/happens]
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".
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.)
Collocations
fundamentally important
|fundamentally flawed
|fundamentally sound
|fundamentally the same
|fundamentally change
|fundamentally similar
Themes
thinking
|communication
|academia
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is fundamentally honest, even if she sometimes makes mistakes.
- The proposal is fundamentally flawed and needs to be rewritten.
- 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.
- The plan is fundamentally wrong.
- These two phones are fundamentally the same.
- This rule will fundamentally change our work.
- The story is fundamentally about love and family.
unknown
B2
property
2
in a deeply different way
Used to show that things are very different at a deep, basic level, not just a little bit different.
Usage pattern:
fundamentally [different/opposed/incompatible]
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".
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.)
Collocations
fundamentally different
|fundamentally opposed
|fundamentally incompatible
|fundamentally at odds
|fundamentally contradictory
Themes
thinking
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Our goals are fundamentally different from theirs.
- The two parties have fundamentally opposed views on immigration.
- 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.
- My values are fundamentally different from his.
- 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.
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.