essential
adjective
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Definition of essential
(Entry 1 of 2)
2a : 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 sense 2
3 : idiopathic essential disease essential hypertension
essential
nounDefinition of essential (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : something basic the essentials of astronomy
2 : something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
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Other Words from essential
Adjective
-ˈsen(t)-shə-
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adverb
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noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for essential
Synonyms: Adjective
all-important, critical, imperative, indispensable, integral, must-have, necessary, necessitous, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital
Synonyms: Noun
condition, demand, must, must-have, necessary, necessity, need, needful, requirement, requisite, sine qua non
Antonyms: Adjective
dispensable, inessential, needless, nonessential, unessential, unnecessary, unneeded
Antonyms: Noun
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Examples of essential in a Sentence
Adjective
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.Noun
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 on the Web: Adjective
But rope is still an essential tool for survival, whether it’s for stringing food away from bears, drying clothes, or binding a pesky scavenger. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "16 Tools You Need When You Live Off the Grid," 3 July 2018 Since its founding in 2011, GitHub has become an essential tool for some of the biggest tech companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Google. — Hallie Detrick, Fortune, "What You Should Know About GitHub—And Why Microsoft Is Expected to Buy It," 4 June 2018 GitHub is one of the most essential tools used by software developers today, so Microsoft would be rolling up a crucial part of the ecosystem. — Dan Frommer, Recode, "With GitHub, Microsoft would be buying a crucial part of the software ecosystem," 4 June 2018 Get a Durag Another essential tool in the waving process is the the durag. — Alexander-julian Gibbson, GQ, "How to Get Waves," 25 May 2018 Lofven said the resolution also for the first time makes the point that the needs and vulnerabilities of girls and boys are different and stresses that access for all youngsters to education and physical and mental health care is essential. — Fox News, "UN: 1 in 4 children live in country of conflict or disaster," 9 July 2018 With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Black Pepper Serves 6 Freshly ground black pepper is essential here. — Adam Ried, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipes: Switch it up with lamb burgers instead of beef," 13 July 2018 To combat them, addressing mental health goals in tandem with physical goals is essential. — Karen S. Lynch, STAT, "Everyone deserves a holistic, patient-centric health care system," 12 July 2018 This kind of mounting public outrage and refusal to allow for this policy to continue is going to be essential; the goal has to be to keep the focus on what the administration can do immediately, which is to pick up the phone. — Rebecca Traister, The Cut, "Cages, ‘Infestations,’ and the Demonization of Immigrants," 27 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
NYC’s second release in the same closet as its first, which included more work-appropriate essentials like a blazer and slacks. — Emilia Petrarca, The Cut, "You Can Wear These Luxury Bike Shorts Pretty Much Anywhere," 10 July 2018 The patio has its own menu, with essentials like brats and hot dogs but also items like a memorable pork sausage made with makrut lime and chile and topped with mango relish. — Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Dining patios proliferate around Milwaukee; a look at some new ones for 2018," 10 July 2018 Dollar General will offer area residents a convenient new place to shop for everyday essentials at low prices. — Community Report, Houston Chronicle, "Dollar General now open in Tarkington," 5 July 2018 With khakis and Chelsea boots for a film-set-to-country-side look. Mr P. $190, mrporter.com Brought to you by Mr P., the house line of e-commerce website Mr Porter, built around everyday essentials like chambray shirts. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "The Chambray Shirt: Why Every Man Needs This All-American Staple," 3 July 2018 Adding to the neighborhood vibe are essentials like the convenience store in the Partners HealthCare building, and the primary care and dentist offices that will operate out of the ground floor of the Montaje apartments. — Janelle Nanos, BostonGlobe.com, "A visit to Assembly Row 2.0," 9 June 2018 Considering quality suitcases are generally expensive, Zappos makes shopping for these vacation essentials easier and more affordable. — Banu Ibrahim, CNN Underscored, "This shoe retailer has stellar luggage to shop right now," 21 May 2018 The site also reports that cookies are getting the llama treatment, as are several kitchen essentials like wine glasses, chip clips, and coffee mugs. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "Apparently, Llamas Are The New Unicorns," 10 May 2018 Most of current sales are focused on spring and summer essentials like garden supplies, poolside loungers, and patio sets, though a few places like ABC Carpet & Home and Apt 2B are discounting some gorgeous indoor furniture as well. — Emily Heller, Curbed, "The best spring home sales to shop right now," 4 May 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for essential
essential
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of essential
(Entry 1 of 2)
: extremely important and necessary
: very basic
essential
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of essential (Entry 2 of 2)
: something that is basic or necessary : something essential
See the full definition for essential in the English Language Learners Dictionary
essential
adjective
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Kids Definition of essential
(Entry 1 of 2)
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.
essential
nounKids Definition of essential (Entry 2 of 2)
: something that is basic or necessary I packed the bare essentials for the trip.
essential
adjective
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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 essential disease
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