Entry Word: essential

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 impossible to do without <a well-stocked public library is essential for the well-being of a community>

Synonyms all-important, imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital

Related Words prerequisite; compulsory, mandatory, obligatory; important, momentous, significant; basic, central, fundamental, key, organic; insistent, persistent, pressing, urgent

Near Antonyms undesired, unwanted; inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant; excess, extra, superfluous, surplus

Antonyms dispensable, needless, nonessential, unnecessary, unneeded

2 of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject <anyone with an essential knowledge of human biology can follow the documentary> — see elementary
3 being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing <an unquenchable belief in the essential goodness of most people> — see inherent