The meaning of EXISTENTIAL is of, relating to, or affirming existence. How to use existential in a sentence.

relating to a philosophy (= system of ideas) according to which the world has no meaning and each person is alone and completely responsible for his or her own actions:

You use existential to describe fear, anxiety, and other feelings that are caused by thinking about human existence and death.

The adjective existential is often defined as, “of, or relating to, existence.” However, as you point out, that doesn’t really explain the meaning of existential in most contexts.

existential (ˌɛɡzɪˈstɛnʃəl) adj 1. of or relating to existence, esp human existence

Factsheet What does the adjective existential mean? There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective existential. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation …

Dec 22, 2025 · The word existential is often used to describe questions that touch the core of human life rather than its surface features. Such questions are not primarily technical or …

Definition of existential adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Existential definition: Of, relating to, or dealing with existence.

Jan 20, 2026 · existential (comparative more existential, superlative most existential) Of or relating to existence. Jaspers' main concern has been with existential dread, which he regards not as …