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Meaning & use

integral

adjective, noun·Academicformal

Last updated

UK/ˈɪntɪɡrəl/
US/ˈɪntəɡrəl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Forming a necessary part of something, so that the whole would be incomplete without it.

    Grammar: Usually followed by to: integral to a plan, not integral for.

    Patterns

    • integral to something
    • an integral part of something

    Teamwork is integral to the success of the project.

    The kitchen is an integral part of the restaurant.

    Music became an integral element of her daily life.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Built into something as part of it rather than added separately.

    Grammar: Comes before a noun: an integral battery, an integral lock.

    Patterns

    • an integral feature

    The phone has an integral battery that cannot be removed.

    The car has an integral roof rack.

    The cabinet includes an integral lighting strip.

  3. nouncountablemathematics

    In calculus, a quantity found by adding up infinitely many small pieces, such as the area under a curve.

    Grammar: Used in mathematics: evaluate an integral.

    Patterns

    • the integral of something
    • evaluate an integral

    Students learned to evaluate the integral of a simple curve.

    The definite integral gives the total area between the line and the axis.

    She wrote the integral on the board and began to solve it.

Word forms

pluralintegrals

Common combinations

integral part
Exercise is an integral part of his routine.
integral to
Trust is integral to any friendship.
integral role
She played an integral role in the campaign.
definite integral
A definite integral has upper and lower limits.
integral component
The filter is an integral component of the pump.

Synonyms and how they differ

essential
Essential means absolutely needed, while integral stresses being a built-in part of the whole.
fundamental
Fundamental refers to the base or foundation, not simply a part.
intrinsic
Intrinsic describes a quality belonging naturally to something, rather than a part within it.
built-in
Built-in is the casual way to say part of the design.

Opposites

peripheralincidental

Word family

integrate verb
to combine into one whole
integration noun
the process of combining
integrity noun
honesty, or completeness
integrally adverb
as an essential part
integer noun
a whole number

Commonly confused: integral or integrity? integral or intrinsic?

integral vs integrity

Integrity means honesty or wholeness of character; integral describes a necessary part.

integral vs intrinsic

Intrinsic describes a built-in quality, whereas integral describes a necessary component.

Practice

Reliable data is integral ___ good research.

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