existential

Everyday

1. Existential means to do with existence, especially the big questions about why we exist and what life means. tree →
2. An existential threat or danger is one that could end something completely, such as a species, a country or the world. tree →
3. (informal) An «existential crisis» is a time when someone worries deeply about the meaning of their life, often used jokingly. tree →

In the lessons

In philosophy and big-questions lessons, existential questions are «Why am I here?» and «What is the point of life?». In the news, climate change or a war may be called an existential threat. Young people sometimes joke about having an existential crisis over small things. Phrases: «existential questions», «existential threat», «existential crisis».

Examples

• Asking «Why do we exist?» is an existential question. tree →
• Some scientists call climate change an existential threat. tree →
• My brother had an existential crisis when he turned eighteen. tree →
• Losing its forest is an existential danger for the orangutan. tree →
• Philosophers have argued about existential ideas for centuries. tree →
• «I'm having an existential crisis about which cereal to choose,» joked Mum. tree →

Note

Formal word. Related: exist, existence; existentialism (a philosophy of the 1900s). In grammar, «there is / there are» is called an existential sentence.