ontological

IPA/ˌɒntəˈlɒdʒɪkl/
KK[ˌɑntəlˈɑdʒɪkəl]IPA/ˌɑːntəˈlɑːdʒɪkl/

ontological — adjective

  • ontologicalpositive
  • more ontologicalcomparative
  • most ontologicalsuperlative

1. relating to the philosophical study of existence — what it means for something t

1.形容詞C2
釋義

relating to the philosophical study of existence — what it means for something to be real and what kinds of things truly exist

例句

The philosopher asked whether numbers truly exist or are just ideas in our minds.

common pattern: ontological question about [subject]

Professor Mira spoke about the ontological difference between a real tree and a photograph.

同義詞
  • metaphysical

    broader in scope — covers ontology plus other questions about reality beyond the physical world

  • existential

    different focus — concerns individual human existence and meaning, not the general structure of reality

文法句型

ontological + noun (question, argument, belief, nature)

ontological + that-clause (ontological belief that...)

用法筆記

This term belongs to academic and formal registers. It appears mainly in philosophy, theology, and theoretical science rather than in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The ontological question of what to eat for dinner kept me awake.
✅The ontological question of whether numbers have real existence kept the philosopher awake.
💡'Ontological' should be used only for questions about the nature of existence and reality, not for everyday practical decisions.