integral
/ˈɪn.tɪ.ɡrəl/So closely connected to something that it cannot be removed without changing the whole thing. If something is integral, it is not just important — it is built in as a necessary part.
- Teamwork is integral to the success of any project.
- Exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.
- She played an integral role in building the company.
In mathematics, an integral is a value that represents the area under a curve on a graph. It is a core concept in calculus.
- The student solved the integral using a standard formula.
- Integrals and derivatives are studied together in calculus.
Adinary Nuance
Integral sits in a cluster of near-neighbors — essential, fundamental, crucial, and indispensable — but it carries a specific meaning none of the others quite match. While essential simply means "cannot be done without," integral adds the idea of being built into the whole structure, like a brick in a wall rather than a tool beside it. Fundamental points to the base or foundation level of something, and crucial signals a high-stakes moment where something matters most. Integral is the right word when you want to say something is not just important but woven into the fabric of a larger whole. In academic and IELTS writing, integral also reads as more formal and precise than key or important, making it a strong word choice for essays.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Không thể thiếu
- Spanish
- Integral
- Chinese
- 不可或缺的
- Japanese
- 不可欠な
- Korean
- 필수적인
Etymology
From Latin "integralis," meaning "making up a whole," rooted in "integer" (whole, untouched). The word entered English in the early 17th century; the same Latin root also gives English the words "integrity" and "integer."
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'integral' formal or informal?
- 'Integral' is formal and works best in academic writing, reports, and professional contexts. In casual conversation, most people say 'key part' or 'important part' instead.
- What is the difference between 'integral' and 'essential'?
- 'Essential' means you cannot do without something. 'Integral' goes further — it means something is so embedded in the whole that removing it would change the structure entirely. Think of 'essential' as necessary, and 'integral' as built-in.
- Can I use 'integral' in an IELTS essay?
- Yes, and it is a strong word choice. Phrases like 'plays an integral role' or 'is integral to' signal academic vocabulary and precision, which examiners reward. Make sure you use it to describe something that is a core part of a larger system, not just something important.
- Can 'integral' be used as a noun?
- Yes, but almost only in mathematics. As a noun, an 'integral' is a calculus concept referring to the area under a curve. Outside maths, 'integral' is almost always an adjective.