seminal
strongly influencing later developments; foundational
Word origin: From Latin semen, seed.
Seminal in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing seminal in a sentence.
Her seminal paper reshaped the entire field of genetics.
Her seminal paper on the topic reshaped the field and is still cited in nearly every survey of the literature.
Using “seminal” well
Seminal means foundational, strongly influencing later developments. A seminal work is one from which much subsequent thought grows, so the word praises originative importance, not just quality.
More GRE words starting with S
to deliberately damage or obstruct something, especially in secret
an intensely sweet, calorie-free artificial sweetener
excessively sweet or sentimental in a cloying way
regarded as too important or sacred to be altered or criticized
having keen practical judgment and discernment
soundness of judgment and acuteness of discernment
most noticeable or important; standing out prominently
of a sickly yellowish or pale complexion
Questions about “seminal”
Learn words the way the GRE tests them.
Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.