integral

/ˈɪntɪɡrəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪntɪɡrəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-ti-grəl (usually so in mathematics) in-ˈte-grəl also -ˈtē- also nonstandard ˈin-trə-gəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɪn.tɪ.ɡrəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪn.t̬ə.ɡrəl/ (ame, ipa)

integral — 形容詞

  • integralpositive
  • more integralcomparative
  • most integralsuperlative

1. belonging to something in such a central way that the whole thing cannot functio

1.形容詞B2
釋義

不可或缺的

構成整體所必需的

belonging to something in such a central way that the whole thing cannot function, exist, or be complete without it

例句

The software is now an integral part of the school's daily teaching system.

這套軟體現在已是學校日常教學系統中不可或缺的一部分。

collocation: integral part of

Good communication skills were integral to Asher's success as a team leader.

良好的溝通能力是 Asher 成功擔任團隊領導者的關鍵。

pattern: integral + to + noun

同義詞
  • essential

    the closest synonym; both suggest something cannot be removed without damaging the whole

  • crucial

    emphasises importance for success or outcome; slightly stronger than 'integral'

  • fundamental

    stresses being at the base or foundation of something

  • vital

    implies something is needed for life or continued existence; stronger than 'integral'

反義詞
  • peripheral

    describes something that is on the edge and not central

  • inessential

    means something can be removed without affecting the whole

文法句型

integral + to + noun phrase

integral + part of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often followed by 'to' to show what something is essential for. Can also appear before 'part of' — 'an integral part of something' is a common fixed expression.

常見錯誤

❌Water is integral for all living things.
✅Water is integral to all living things.
💡the correct preposition after 'integral' is 'to', not 'for'.

2. designed or built into something as one unit, rather than being added on or supp

2.形容詞B2
釋義

內置的

構成一體的，非外加的

designed or built into something as one unit, rather than being added on or supplied as a separate item

例句

The new car has an integral GPS system built right into the dashboard.

這輛新車的儀表板內建了 GPS 系統。

collocation: integral + noun (built-in feature)

In this design, the handle is integral to the frame, so you cannot remove it.

在這個設計中，把手與框架是一體的，因此無法拆下。

pattern: integral to + noun

同義詞
  • built-in

    more common in everyday speech; 'integral' is slightly more formal

  • inbuilt

    British English variant; same meaning as 'built-in'

  • incorporated

    suggests something has been deliberately included as part of a design

反義詞
  • separate

    describes parts that are not physically joined and can be removed

  • detachable

    means designed to be taken off or disconnected

  • external

    means located outside the main body or unit

文法句型

integral + noun

integral + to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Commonly describes parts or features of machines, devices, or buildings that are made as one piece rather than added later. Distinguish from sense 1 (ESSENTIAL PART), where the focus is on importance; here the focus is on physical or structural unity.

常見錯誤

❌The battery is integral from the phone.
✅The battery is integral to the phone.
💡after 'integral', use 'to', not 'from'.

3. containing every part that is needed, with nothing missing; complete and entire

3.形容詞C1
釋義

完整的

各部分齊全無缺的

containing every part that is needed, with nothing missing; complete and entire

例句

The museum proudly presented its integral pottery collection after finally acquiring the missing Ming vase.

博物館在終於取得那件遺失的明代花瓶後，驕傲地展出了完整的陶器收藏。

attributive: integral + noun for complete collection

The historian managed to reconstruct the integral document from pieces found in three different archives.

這位歷史學家設法從三個不同檔案館找到的碎片中，重建出完整的文件。

同義詞
  • complete

    the most common and neutral synonym; 'integral' is more formal

  • entire

    emphasises that nothing has been taken away or left out

  • whole

    focuses on the unity of all parts together

反義詞
  • incomplete

    describes something that is missing one or more parts

  • partial

    means only part of the whole is present

文法句型

integral + noun

become + integral

be + integral

用法筆記

This sense is formal and less frequent than senses 1 and 2. It is often used in academic writing, art criticism, or historical descriptions to emphasise that a collection or text has all its parts. Distinguish from sense 2 (BUILT-IN), which describes parts joined together physically; sense 3 describes a whole thing whose all parts are present.

integral — 名詞