Integral: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'integral' when talking about something that is necessary and cannot be separated from the whole.

• Teamwork is an integral part of our success.
• Innovation is integral to the company's strategy.

Use 'essential' when referring to something absolutely necessary or extremely important.

• Good nutrition is essential for a healthy life.
• It is essential to arrive on time for the meeting.

Use 'fundamental' to describe something forming the base, from which everything else develops.

• Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right.
• Understanding basic math is fundamental to studying more advanced subjects.

Use 'vital' when indicating something that is crucial or necessary for the survival or success of something.

• Drinking water is vital for staying hydrated.
• Customer feedback is vital for improving our services.

Used often in mathematical or technical contexts to describe something that is necessary and important as part of a whole.

• Integral calculus is essential for understanding the area under curves.
• Trust is an integral part of a healthy relationship.

Typically used in mathematical or formal contexts where the process of adding things up needs to be emphasized.

• The summation of the series took hours to calculate.
• His speech was a summation of all his ideas on the subject.

Commonly used in everyday language to describe the final amount after everything has been added together.

• The total cost of the groceries came to fifty dollars.
• In total, there are five apples.

Best for contexts involving accumulation or collection of individual parts into a whole, often used in statistical or economic discussions.

• The aggregate earnings of the company exceeded expectations.
• An aggregate score is calculated by adding individual scores.

Use this word when talking about something that is necessary and important as a part of a whole. It often implies that without this part, the whole would be incomplete or less effective.

• Teamwork is an integral part of the project's success.
• Education is integral to a child's development.

This word is used when referring to something that is complete and not divided or missing any parts. It emphasizes the entirety of a single unit or thing.

• He managed to eat the whole pizza by himself.
• Considering the situation as a whole, it was the best decision to make.

This term is suitable when referring to something that exists as a single and complete unit. It can be an organization, a living being, or any distinct existence.

• The company became an independent entity after the merger.
• Each cell is an entity that performs specific functions.

Use this word when describing a set of connected things or parts that operate together as a whole. This can be applied to mechanical systems, biological systems, social systems, etc.

• The solar system consists of the Sun and the objects that orbit it.
• The school has an efficient system for managing student records.