fundamentally

adverb

fun·​da·​men·​tal·​ly ˌfən-də-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

: with regard to what is basic, essential, or fundamental : at a fundamental level

a fundamentally honest person

a fundamentally new/different approach

Most theories of the internal structure of Venus begin with the assumption that the planet is fundamentally similar to the earth …

—Andrew and Louise Young

: in a basic or fundamental manner

This "disposable" work force is the most important trend in business today, and it is fundamentally changing the relationship between Americans and their jobs.

—Janice Castro

Examples of fundamentally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By using hydrogen, the process fundamentally alters the chemical reactions in the furnace, eliminating a large portion of the carbon dioxide typically generated during the reduction of iron ore. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025

But the size of the gray market may be fundamentally at odds with its viability. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025

The infusion of public money will boost the chances of luring private investment, but this is fundamentally a project pushed by politicians and bureaucrats rather than the marketplace. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025

Huckabee also framed Iran’s long-standing threats as fundamentally aimed at Washington. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fundamentally

• accidentally
• detrimentally
• governmentally
• incidentally
• incrementally
• instrumentally
• sentimentally
• temperamentally
• coincidentally
• environmentally
• experimentally
• mentally