integral
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 5Reliable internet is an integral part of modern life.
Having a stable internet connection is absolutely necessary for living in today's world.
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.
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.
Antonyms
Word Family
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
Reliable internet is an integral part of modern life.
everydayHaving a stable internet connection is absolutely necessary for living in today's world.
The witness's testimony was integral to the jury's final decision.
formalWhat the witness said was essential for the jury to reach their conclusion.
I can't go hiking without my boots; they're integral to the experience.
informalMy boots are a must-have part of the trip for me.
Detailed observation is integral to the scientific method.
academicCareful looking is a fundamental part of how science works.
Employee satisfaction is integral to the long-term success of any corporation.
businessHappy workers are a vital requirement for a company to do well over time.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
Internal means located inside, while integral means necessary for completeness.
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
Quick Quiz
The engine is an _______ part of the car's function.
Correct!
The correct answer is: integral
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