Definitions

essential

[uh-sen-shuhl] / əˈsɛn ʃəl /

ADJECTIVE

important, vital

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crucial fundamental imperative important indispensable main necessary needed vital

STRONG

capital cardinal chief leading prerequisite principal requisite

WEAK

constitutive foremost must-have necessitous needful required right-hand wanted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

auxiliary extra inessential minor needless nonessential optional secondary subordinate trivial unimportant unnecessary voluntary

STRONG

inferior

WEAK

accessory atypical subsidiary

ADJECTIVE

basic, fundamental

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absolute constitutional elemental inherent intrinsic key main underlying

STRONG

cardinal cold ideal material nitty-gritty nub perfect primary prime primitive principal

WEAK

basal bottom-line complete congenital connate deep-seated elementary inborn inbred innate meat-and-potatoes quintessential substratal

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acquired extrinsic incidental inessential insignificant learned nonessential secondary unimportant

STRONG

flawed imperfect minor wrong

WEAK

accessory atypical auxiliary subsidiary

NOUN

necessity, basic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

condition element essence fundamental must precondition prerequisite principle requirement requisite

STRONG

ABCs groceries guts heart nitty-gritty quintessence rudiment stuff substance

WEAK

bottom line brass tacks fire and ice meat and potatoes name of the game nuts and bolts part and parcel sine qua non vital part where one's at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

extra

WEAK

accessory auxiliary nonessential subsidiary throwaway

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The work is basic but essential for machine learning: data labelling, annotation and quality checks.

From Barron's

In most bacteria, these genes are essential for normal growth and survival.

From Science Daily

Family members and essential mission personnel must complete medical screening and receive clearance before any in-person contact is allowed.

From Science Daily

"The gut-brain axis is becoming essential to understanding many psychiatric disorders, including depression."

From Science Daily

Raw materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt are essential for electronic goods such as batteries and wind turbines and needed for the EU's green transition.

From Barron's

essential

Example Sentences

Related Words