integral

¹in·te·gral

adj
\ˈin-ti-grəl (usually so in mathematics); in-ˈte-grəl also -ˈtē- also ÷ˈin-trə-gəl\

Definition of INTEGRAL

1

a : essential to completeness : constituent <an integral part of the curriculum> b (1) : being, containing, or relating to one or more mathematical integers (2) : relating to or concerned with mathematical integration or the results of mathematical integration c : formed as a unit with another part <a seat with integral headrest>

2

: composed of constituent parts

3

: lacking nothing essential : entire

— in·te·gral·i·ty \ˌin-tə-ˈgra-lə-tē\ noun

— in·te·gral·ly \ˈin-ti-grə-lē; in-ˈte-grə- also -ˈtē-\ adverb

Examples of INTEGRAL

1. She had become an integral part of their lives.
2. <a car dealer respected for his integral honesty and straightforwardness with customers>
3. I do know that shoot-'em-ups (and saw-'em-ups) are likely to remain part of our lives, and that suggests a depressing idea: Maybe the love of violence is an integral part of human nature… —Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Oct. 2007
4. Stuffed with peanut butter, celery is the quintessential after-school snack; diced, it provides an essential crunch to chicken and potato salads; buttered up, it is an integral part of Thanksgiving stuffing. —Sara Dickerman, New York Times Magazine, 3 Sept. 2006
5. Sitting out on the grass … watching the freight trains roll by on the levee at two in the morning, drinking a beer and listening to the music drifting out of the club, is an integral part of the whole experience. —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005

Origin of INTEGRAL

(see integer)

First Known Use: 1551

Related to INTEGRAL

Synonyms: built-in, constitutional, constitutive, essential, hardwired, immanent, inborn, inbred, indigenous, ingrain, ingrained (also engrained), innate, inherent, intrinsic, native, natural

Antonyms: adventitious, extraneous, extrinsic

Related Words: basic, deep-rooted, elemental, fundamental; congenital, hereditary, inherited, inmost, inner, interior; internal; characteristic, distinctive, peculiar; habitual, inveterate; normal, regular, typical

Near Antonyms: alien, foreign; accidental, coincidental, incidental; acquired, adscititious; superficial, surface; exterior, external

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