must-have

noun

: something that is essential to have or obtain
must-have adjective

Examples of must-have in a Sentence

hiking boots are a must-have for this trip
Recent Examples on the Web The following 11 were also some of the most popular must-haves in 2024. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 12 May 2024 Even vacation must-haves can be swiped here, like genuine leather luggage tags and fanny packs for $6. Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024 That's a must-have for extensive photo collections. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024 More quietly, the company has been working to enhance a more specialized artificial intelligence tool that is already a must-have for some scientists. Will Knight, WIRED, 8 May 2024 With Jenny's camel coat, striped scarf, and a knitted beanie from the actress' personal collection that instantly became the fashion must-have of the moment, MacGraw helped define 1970s trends and spurred legions of women to copy her boho-meets-preppy look. Ew Staff, EW.com, 7 May 2024 The tennis legend shares her love for the color gold, reveals the must-have item from her new beauty line that’s always in her red carpet bag, and discusses the inspiration behind her Met Gala look. Devine Blacksher, Essence, 7 May 2024 Whether tea is a must-have for infected individuals is yet to be determined. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 2 May 2024 Available in 19 colors, like royal blue and khaki, and sizes small to 2XL, this two-piece set is a must-have addition to your travel wardrobe. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'must-have.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of must-have was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near must-have

Cite this Entry

“Must-have.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/must-have. Accessed 15 May. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!