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Fundamental vs Significant - What's the difference?

fundamental | significant |

As nouns the difference between fundamental and significant

is that fundamental is a leading or primary principle, rule, law, or article, which serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part, as, the fundamentals of linear algebra while significant is that which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.

As adjectives the difference between fundamental and significant

is that fundamental is pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the foundation. Hence: Essential, as an element, principle, or law; important; original; elementary while significant is signifying something; carrying meaning.

fundamental

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A leading or primary principle, rule, law, or article, which serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part, as, the fundamentals of linear algebra.
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Pertaining to the foundation or basis; serving for the foundation. Hence: Essential, as an element, principle, or law; important; original; elementary.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)
  • , volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […].  Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. […]  But the scandals kept coming, […]. A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul. Instead it offers fixes and patches.}}

    Derived terms

    * fundamentalism * fundamentalist * fundamentality * fundamentally * fundamentalness * fundamental analysis

    Synonyms

    * * See also

    significant

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Signifying something; carrying meaning.
  • a significant''' word or sound; a '''significant look
  • * Sir Walter Raleigh
  • It was well said of Plotinus, that the stars were significant , but not efficient.
  • Having a covert or hidden meaning.
  • Having a noticeable or major effect; notable.
  • That was a significant step in the right direction.
    The First World War was a significant event.
  • Reasonably large in number or amount.
  • (statistics) Having a low probability of occurring by chance (for example, having high correlation and thus likely to be related).
  • Synonyms

    * important

    Antonyms

    * insignificant * ignorable * negligible * slight

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.
  • (Wordsworth)
  • * Shakespeare
  • In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.
    (Webster 1913) ----