Integral

Definition

Essential or necessary for completeness; constituting a whole.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɪntəɡrəl/ or /ɪnˈtɛɡrəl/
• Respelling: IN-tuh-gruhl or in-TEG-ruhl (with "IN" as in "tin," "tuh" as in "sofa," "gruhl" as in "grumble," or "in" as in "tin," "TEG" as in "beg," and "ruhl" as in "grumble")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɪntɪɡrəl/ or /ɪnˈtɛɡrəl/
• Respelling: IN-ti-gruhl or in-TEG-ruhl (with "IN" as in "tin," "ti" as in "sit," "gruhl" as in "grumble," or "in" as in "tin," "TEG" as in "beg," and "ruhl" as in "grumble")

In both dialects, "integral" has two common pronunciations. One places the primary stress on the first syllable, "IN," and the other places it on the second syllable, "TEG." The American pronunciation includes "tuh" or "TEG," while the British pronunciation includes "ti" or "TEG," focusing on the clear articulation of "IN-tuh-gruhl" or "in-TEG-ruhl" (American) and "IN-ti-gruhl" or "in-TEG-ruhl" (British).

Etymology

From Latin integer meaning "whole" or "untouched", from in- ("not") + tangere ("to touch"). Indicative of something complete or whole.

Derivatives

• Integrally (adverb)
• Integrate (verb)
• Integration (noun)
• Integrative (adjective)
• Integrated (adjective)

Synonyms

• Essential
• Fundamental
• Inherent

Antonyms

• Auxiliary
• Optional
• Superficial

Usage

"Integral" is used in various contexts, including describing something essential to completeness, in mathematics to describe integral functions, and in discussions about wholeness and completeness.

Related Terms

• Integrate
• Whole
• Complete
• Indispensable
• Constituent

Detailed Definition

Adjective

• Integral (Adjective, General): Necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental.
  • Example: "Regular exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle."

• Integral (Adjective, Mathematics): Relating to or denoting an integer or an integral function.
  • Example: "Calculating the integral of a function is a common problem in calculus."

Noun

• Integral (Noun, Mathematics): A function that represents the area under a curve in a graph, fundamental to the calculus branch of mathematics.
  • Example: "The integral of the function gives us the total area under the curve from point A to point B."

Note: In mathematical contexts, "integral" pertains to the process of integration, often in relation to differential equations and areas under curves.