existentialism
C2 (Proficient)Formal, academic, literary
Definition
Meaning
A philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will, and the view that human beings define their own meaning in an indifferent universe.
A mood or attitude of concern with human existence, often characterised by themes of anxiety, dread, freedom, and the search for authenticity, found in literature, art, and culture beyond formal philosophy.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'the philosophy of existentialism'). Can be used attributively (e.g., 'existentialist angst'). Strongly associated with 20th-century European thinkers like Sartre, Camus, and de Beauvoir.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects: intellectual, philosophical, sometimes associated with brooding or pessimism.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but common in equivalent academic and intellectual contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + explores + existentialismThe existentialism + of + [Philosopher][Work] + is + steeped in + existentialismVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To have] an existential crisis/moment”
- “Angst-ridden existentialism”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used in core business contexts. May appear metaphorically in high-level strategy discussions: 'The digital disruption posed an existential threat to the company's model.'
Academic
Primary domain of use. Common in philosophy, literature, theology, and psychology departments. Used with precision to denote specific philosophical movements and ideas.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. May be used loosely to describe a personal search for meaning or a gloomy perspective: 'After the breakup, he got all existential.'
Technical
Used with precise philosophical definitions. Distinctions are made between different branches (e.g., Christian vs. atheistic existentialism, existentialism vs. absurdism).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The protagonist in the novel constantly questions and strives to exist authentically, a process central to existentialism.
American English
- The film's characters don't just live; they consciously choose how to exist, embodying existentialist principles.
adverb
British English
- She gazed out the window, thinking existentially about the choices that led her here.
American English
- The character behaves existentially, making radical choices based on perceived freedom.
adjective
British English
- Her dissertation focused on the existentialist themes in post-war British theatre.
American English
- He was going through a period of intense existentialist questioning during his freshman year.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Existentialism is a type of philosophy.
- We learned about existentialism in our modern history class.
- The novel explores existentialism through its isolated protagonist who must find his own purpose.
- While often conflated with nihilism, existentialism posits that individuals are condemned to be free and must therefore invent their own values in a godless universe.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EXISTentialism is about your EXISTence and the responsibility you have to create meaning within it.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A PROJECT (that the individual must define and build); EXISTENCE PRECEDES ESSENCE (you exist first, then you define what you are).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'экзистенциальный' when it is used in a non-philosophical, journalistic sense to mean 'threatening existence' (e.g., 'экзистенциальная угроза'). In philosophy, the Russian term is точный.
- The English word is a direct loan, but its everyday cultural connotations may differ.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'existential' as a general synonym for 'significant' or 'major' (e.g., 'an existential meeting' is incorrect).
- Confusing existentialism with nihilism (the denial of all meaning). Existentialism asserts meaning is created, not inherent.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following concepts is most central to existentialism?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it deals with anxiety and the 'absurd,' its core is about freedom, responsibility, and the potential for creating authentic, meaningful life.
Existentialism generally holds that individuals can create meaning. Absurdism (associated with Camus) argues that the search for inherent meaning is futile, but one should rebel against this absurdity nonetheless.
Yes. While Sartrean existentialism is atheistic, thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard and Gabriel Marcel developed Christian existentialism, focusing on individual faith and subjective relationship with God.
Yes. Its themes of individual responsibility, authenticity, and navigating a complex world resonate in contemporary discussions on identity, technology, and mental health.
Collections
Part of a collection
Philosophical Vocabulary
C2 · 44 words · Technical terms used in academic philosophy.