essential
ih-SEHN-shuhl
Essential (adj) means Absolutely necessary; unable to be done without. Example: “Clean water is essential for survival.”
adj
1
Absolutely necessary; unable to be done without.
"Clean water is essential for survival."
"A good night's sleep is essential before an exam."
"Good brakes are essential on a bicycle."
noun
1
A basic item or ingredient that is necessary.
"She packed only the essentials for the weekend trip."
"Bread and milk are the essentials in our kitchen."
"Pack the travel essentials, such as a passport and a charger."
How to use essential
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you truly cannot do without, or (as a noun) one of the basic necessary things.
Common pairings
essential oil
absolutely essential
the essentials
essential reading
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Word forms
- Plural
- essentials
- Comparative
- more essential
- Superlative
- most essential
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Clean water is _____ for survival.
Etymology
From Late Latin essentialis, built on essentia, "essence" — literally, relating to the core being of a thing.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for essential
See all rhymes for essential →Frequently asked questions
What does “essential” mean?
The word “essential” means absolutely necessary; unable to be done without. In plain terms, something you truly cannot do without, or (as a noun) one of the basic necessary things.
How do you pronounce “essential”?
“Essential” is pronounced ih-SEHN-shuhl (/ɪˈsɛn.ʃəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “essential” in a sentence?
Here is “essential” used in a sentence: “Clean water is essential for survival.”
What is the opposite of “essential”?
The opposite of “essential” — its antonyms — are inessential, unessential, non-essential and nonessential.
What part of speech is “essential”?
Depending on how it is used, “essential” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “essential” come from?
The word “essential” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin essentialis, built on essentia, "essence" — literally, relating to the core being of a thing.
Is “essential” a common word?
“Essential” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “essential” have?
“Essential” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: absolutely necessary; unable to be done without.
What is the difference between essential and important?
Something important carries real weight or value, but essential goes further — it is absolutely necessary, something you cannot do without. You can manage without an important item at a cost; remove an essential one and the whole thing fails. Every essential thing is important, but not everything important is essential.
What is the opposite of essential?
The clearest opposites are "unnecessary," "optional," and "dispensable" — things you can manage without. "Nonessential" is the direct negative form, often used for tasks or staff that can be paused. "Inessential" means the same. Each points to something that is not strictly required.
Is essential a strong word?
Yes. Essential is emphatic, marking something as strictly required rather than merely useful or desirable. Because of that force, it is worth reserving for cases that truly qualify; overusing it for things that are simply helpful weakens its impact and blurs the line between what is necessary and what is nice to have.
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