B2 verb Neutral

integral

/ˈɪntɪɡrəl/

Necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental to the nature of something. It describes a component that is so important that the larger system or concept cannot function or exist properly without it.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Reliable internet is an integral part of modern life.

Having a stable internet connection is absolutely necessary for living in today's world.

2

The witness's testimony was integral to the jury's final decision.

What the witness said was essential for the jury to reach their conclusion.

3

I can't go hiking without my boots; they're integral to the experience.

My boots are a must-have part of the trip for me.

Word Family

Noun
integrality
Verb
integrate
Adverb
integrally
Adjective
integral
Related
integration
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'integer' in math, which means a 'whole' number. Something 'integral' is what makes a 'whole' complete.

Quick Quiz

The engine is an _______ part of the car's function.

Correct!

The correct answer is: integral

Examples

1

Reliable internet is an integral part of modern life.

everyday

Having a stable internet connection is absolutely necessary for living in today's world.

2

The witness's testimony was integral to the jury's final decision.

formal

What the witness said was essential for the jury to reach their conclusion.

3

I can't go hiking without my boots; they're integral to the experience.

informal

My boots are a must-have part of the trip for me.

4

Detailed observation is integral to the scientific method.

academic

Careful looking is a fundamental part of how science works.

5

Employee satisfaction is integral to the long-term success of any corporation.

business

Happy workers are a vital requirement for a company to do well over time.

Word Family

Noun
integrality
Verb
integrate
Adverb
integrally
Adjective
integral
Related
integration

Common Collocations

integral part a necessary piece of a whole
integral role a vital function in a process
integral component an essential element of a machine or system
integral to the process necessary for the operation to work
integral member a key person in a team

Common Phrases

play an integral role

to be a very important part of an outcome

an integral part of the whole

something that cannot be separated from the main thing

become integral to

to grow into a necessary position or status

Often Confused With

integral vs internal

Internal means located inside, while integral means necessary for completeness.

integral vs integrated

Integrated is a past participle meaning combined, whereas integral is an adjective describing a permanent essential quality.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'integral' when you want to emphasize that something is not just 'important' but 'essential' to the existence of something else. It is most commonly followed by the preposition 'to'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'integral for' instead of 'integral to'. Another mistake is using it to mean 'important' when the item is actually optional or peripheral.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'integer' in math, which means a 'whole' number. Something 'integral' is what makes a 'whole' complete.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Medieval Latin 'integralis', meaning 'making up a whole', from the Latin 'integer' (untouched, whole).

Grammar Patterns

adjective + noun (integral part) be + integral + to + something

Quick Quiz

The engine is an _______ part of the car's function.

Correct!

The correct answer is: integral

Related Words

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C1

To significantly enhance the visual intensity, vividness, or clarity of a scene, image, or description. It is often used in the context of digital editing or literary embellishment to make something stand out beyond its natural state.

pronavfy

C1

A specialized digital data structure or configuration file used to synchronize navigation parameters and routing logic across multiple platforms. It serves as a master template ensuring that disparate hardware devices interpret spatial data and waypoints with identical precision.

nonvalward

C1

To deliberately move away from or reject established values, standards, or traditional norms. It implies a conscious effort to chart a path that disregards conventional worth or moral frameworks in favor of new, often experimental, directions.

multidomness

C1

To actively manage or integrate operations across multiple distinct domains or fields of influence. This verb describes the action of diversifying one's reach to ensure a functional presence in several specialized areas simultaneously.

proarchancy

C1

The state or quality of being a primary or foundational authority, often referring to a preliminary or original form of leadership or governance. It describes the condition of holding a pre-eminent or initial position of rule within a hierarchy.

anamess

C1

To gradually gather or accumulate a large quantity of something, typically wealth, information, or evidence, over a significant period of time. It implies a persistent process of building up a collection or 'mass' of resources.

premigrless

C1

To proactively eliminate or significantly reduce the necessity for future data or population migration by implementing structural optimizations during the initial setup phase. This verb is primarily used in technical and logistical contexts to describe the act of making a system or group stable enough that relocation becomes unnecessary.

undertortacy

C1

To resolve a civil legal grievance or potential tort claim outside of formal legal proceedings, often through private or informal mediation. It implies reaching a settlement secretly or 'under the table' to avoid public litigation.

tritentible

C1

Describing something that is capable of being stretched, extended, or held in three distinct directions or ways. It is often used in technical or abstract contexts to refer to a threefold capacity for tension or adaptability.

extrasonism

C1

To project sound, influence, or high-frequency vibrations beyond a specific physical or metaphorical boundary. It describes the active process of extending an acoustic or communicative reach into a wider environment.

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