existential

[eg-zi-sten-shuh l, ek-si-] /ˌɛg zɪˈstɛn ʃəl, ˌɛk sɪ-/
adjective
1.
pertaining to existence.
2.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of existentialism:
an existential hero.
Origin
1685-95; < Late Latin existentiālis relating to existing. See existence, -al1
Related forms
existentially, adverb
nonexistential, adjective
nonexistentially, adverb
unexistential, adjective
unexistentially, adverb
Examples from the web for existential
  • The future itself would stand in grave danger, for the failure of nuclear deterrence could pose an existential threat to humanity.
  • Terrorism is an existential condition and won't be defeated militarily.
  • For a science writer, this quandary is something close to existential.
  • If privileged white folks grappling with existential angst fills you with dread, this is a movie to avoid.
  • It's not merely existential angst: his concern is more practical.
  • From the point of view of relativity, a shadow (having no mass) is a non-thing, an existential void.
  • The band's shoegaze-punk fusion is an existential scream, blending anguish and beauty until their difference becomes meaningless.
  • It is hard not to be shaken by the passionate honesty and existential weight of this work.
  • The lone individual who refuses to accept conformist norms--the artist, the rebel--lives in existential dread and isolation.
  • It has already been proven that our existential views are not so ballasted by science nor wealth.
British Dictionary definitions for existential

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 (logic)
5.
  1. an existential statement or formula
  2. short for existential quantifier
Derived Forms
existentially, adverb
Word Origin and History for existential
adj.

1690s, "pertaining to existence," from Late Latin existentialis/exsistentialis, from existentia/exsistentia (see existence). As a term in logic, from 1819; in philosophy, from 1937, tracing back to the Danish works of Kierkegaard (see existentialism). Related: Existentially.