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 city-state produces semiconductors essential for electric vehicles and industrial systems, and could benefit from increasing demand for memory chips and autonomous vehicles, says the central bank.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite their size, small mammals play essential roles in ecosystems and respond quickly to environmental change.

From Science Daily

The greater challenge lies in transforming that captured gas into something useful, a step that is essential if carbon capture technologies are to be widely adopted.

From Science Daily

"Protecting and enhancing nature is essential for people today, and for future generations," he said.

From BBC

Simon Bryant, Hampshire County Council and Isle of Wight Council's director of public health, advised residents to "take a few essential steps to stay safe".

From BBC

essential

Example Sentences

Related Words