Entry Word: essential

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable <the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude>

Synonyms condition, demand, must, necessity, need, requirement, requisite

Related Words precondition, prerequisite; advantage, edge, plus

Near Antonyms extra, extravagance, frill, luxury, superfluity

Antonyms nonessential, nonnecessity

2 essentials pluralgeneral or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based <this will be just an introduction to the essentials of computer programming> — see principles 1