bare essentials

plural noun

: the things that are absolutely necessary
We only had enough room to pack the bare essentials.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The place is immaculate, and the only items on the counter are the bare essentials: a brick of toilet paper and an unopened bottle of 100 proof bourbon. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Feb. 2023 For the minimalist packer, this no-frills passport sleeve is the perfect way to organize the bare essentials. Talia Ergas, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2023

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

Dictionary Entries Near bare essentials

Cite this Entry

“Bare essentials.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bare%20essentials. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

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