essential

adjective es·sen·tial \ i-ˈsen(t)-shəl \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Definition of essential

1 : of, relating to, or constituting essence : inherent

2 a : of the utmost importance : basic, indispensable, necessary

an essential requirement for admission to college

b : being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet

a vegetable oil rich in essential fatty acids

— see also essential amino acid — compare nonessential 2

3 : idiopathic

essential disease

essential hypertension

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essentially

play \i-ˈsench-lē, -ˈsen(t)-shə-\ adverb

—

essentialness

play \i-ˈsen(t)-shəl-nəs\ noun

See essential defined for English-language learners

See essential defined for kids

Examples of essential in a Sentence

As a fighter pilot, he knows that good vision is essential.
Free speech is an essential right of citizenship.
The essential problem with this plan is that it will cost too much.
There's no essential difference between the two products.

Recent Examples of essential from the Web

That dichotomy is essential to sustaining the mystical omniscience of a play that draws heavily from biblical scripture and Jewish ritual.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ Is a Transfixing Epic of Riches and Ruin," 13 July 2018
And since grasses create habitats for crabs and fish and help filter pollutants from the water, their growth is essential to the health of the Magothy and the Chesapeake Bay.

— christina tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "North Shore's annual 'wade-in' offers a glimpse of Magothy's improving water quality," 11 July 2018
In a place like LA, where a car is essential to reaching jobs, schools, and all sorts of opportunities, ride-hail services have been useful.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "The Good and Bad of Ride-Sharing When It Comes to Race," 11 July 2018
Giuliani suggested that Muller would have to demonstrate both that Trump committed a crime, and that his testimony is essential to the investigation.

— danny cevallos /, NBC News, "Giuliani suggests Trump may only sit with Mueller if conditions are met: Possible legal strategies," 7 July 2018
Chevron defenders argue the doctrine is essential to a functional government.

— The Economist, "A court with a solid conservative majority could reshape American life," 5 July 2018
Their products are essential to everything from supercomputers to smartphones.

— david staats and ian king, idahostatesman, "A Chinese court just retaliated against Boise's Micron. Here's why, and what it means," 5 July 2018
Everyone agrees that food is essential to Detroit's comeback, even if there's plenty of disagreement on how it should be served up.

— john gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "New Meijer, other grocery stores vital to Detroit's comeback," 3 July 2018
But for women on the ground right now, sharing their experiences and immediately condemning sexism has been essential to effecting change more quickly.

— siobhan morrin, Time, "Female Sports Reporters Are Blowing the Whistle on Sexist Behavior at the World Cup," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'essential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of essential

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

essential Synonyms

Phrases

of the essence;

Synonym Discussion of essential

essential, fundamental, vital, cardinal mean so important as to be indispensable. essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

- conflict is essential in drama

fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

- fundamental principles of algebra

vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

- cut off from vital supplies

cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

- a cardinal rule in buying a home

essential

noun

Definition of essential

1 : something basic

the essentials of astronomy

2 : something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable

See essential defined for English-language learners

Examples of essential in a Sentence

the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude
this will be just an introduction to the essentials of computer programming

Recent Examples of essential from the Web

Knives and forks and other essentials would be taxed, while Chinese tilapia — a popular item sold by Walmart Inc. and other retailers — is among the seafood on the list.

— bruce einhorn, latimes.com, "Trump's trade war is about to hit home — and your home is no exception," 11 July 2018
Eight rescued, four more to go Four boys were rescued Sunday before the effort was put on hold so the cave could be restocked with oxygen tanks and other essentials.

— editors, USA TODAY, "Thai cave rescue operation underway to recover remaining boys, coach: What we know now," 10 July 2018
The corner shops provide the city’s large Hispanic population with more than just food and essentials.

— marek mazurek, BostonGlobe.com, "In Lawrence, bodegas now carry healthier options," 9 July 2018
More than a quarter of the six million recipients of the basic form of income support—which comprises free rent, heating, legal representation and a monthly cash allowance for food and other essentials—were non-EU migrants.

— bojan pancevski, WSJ, "Immigration Backlash Erodes Merkel’s Power in Conservative Stronghold," 26 June 2018
Three refineries in Corpus Christi and one farther inland at Three Rivers were shutting down ahead of the storm Supermarket shelves are also emptying fast as residents stock up on food, water and other essentials before Harvey strikes.

— andrea leinfelder, Houston Chronicle, "Tight squeeze: Supersized crude carrier calls on Texas City port," 22 June 2018
Emilia endured many hardships as a young mother raising infants in a post war environment marked by severe shortages of food and other essentials needed to support a growing family.

— courant.com, "Emilia Szkoda," 14 June 2018
The almost-5-year-old has officially become the proud owner of a $750 Alexander Wang Marti Micro leopard print shoulder bag, which retails for a casual $750 and includes plenty of room for crayons and other preschooler essentials.

— jennifer lance, Glamour, "North West Just Won the Preschool Handbag Game With This $750 Birthday Present," 2 June 2018
The inventory also includes desks, chairs and other office essentials.

— cleveland.com, "Buy a piece of ECOT: Barbie dolls, Billy Bass and bone fragments -- the troubled charter school's up for auction," 15 May 2018

First Known Use of essential

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

essential Synonyms

Synonyms

condition, demand, must, must-have, necessary, necessity, need, needful, requirement, requisite, sine qua non;

Antonyms

nonessential, nonnecessity;

Near Antonyms

amenity, comfort, extra, extravagance, frill, indulgence, luxury, superfluity, surplus, surplusage;

Related Words

precondition, prerequisite;

advantage, edge, plus;

ESSENTIAL Defined for English Language Learners

essential

adjective

Definition of essential for English Language Learners

: extremely important and necessary
: very basic

essential

noun

Definition of essential for English Language Learners

: something that is basic or necessary : something essential

ESSENTIAL Defined for Kids

essential

adjective es·sen·tial \ i-ˈsen-shəl \

Definition of essential for Students

1 : extremely important or necessary

It is essential that we all meet here.

2 : forming or belonging to the basic part of something

Free speech is an essential right of citizenship.

—

essentially

adverb

essential

noun

Definition of essential for Students

: something that is basic or necessary

I packed the bare essentials for the trip.

Medical Dictionary

essential

adjective es·sen·tial \ i-ˈsen-chəl \

medical Definition of essential

1 : being, relating to, or containing an essence

an essential odor

2 : being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet

The body converts linoleic acid—an essential fatty acid that makes up 60 percent of corn oil—into arachidonic acid.
—Janet Raloff, Science News, 24 June 1989

— see essential amino acid — compare nonessential

3 : having no obvious or known cause : idiopathic