Words / C1

SEM-inl/ˈsemɪnl/

Seminal means a work that later people keep building on — founding and influential, not merely “very good.” Important is everyday; influential is close but can describe a trend. Collocations: a seminal paper / book / study. Use it sparingly, for things that actually changed a field. In speech, a founding study or it started a lot of later work is clearer and less grand.

Meaning

Very important and influencing later work or ideas.

Examples

• “It was a seminal paper on memory.”
• “Chomsky’s early work was seminal for a generation of linguists.”
• “It is a useful article, but calling it seminal is a stretch.”

Good to know

a seminal paper/study. Foundational and influential. Do not use for merely good work. Everyday: founding / highly influential.

Near in meaning

influential

New