essential

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

|Updated on: 14 Jun 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

The tariffs are designed to rectify U.S. trade deficits and protect industries — such as steel and aluminum production — that are essential to American military strength, Navarro wrote.

— NBC News, "Trump hits the world stage, Day One: Come late, leave early, offend host, alienate allies," 8 June 2018
What isn’t so well-perceived is how New York’s green spaces – the city’s parks and gardens – have been essential to this renaissance.

— adrian higgins, sacbee, "Fertilize your creative spirit with these gardening books," 8 June 2018
South Korea is the weakest side in Group F, and earning at least a point against Sweden on June 18 is essential to the team’s chances.

— stanley kay, SI.com, "2018 World Cup Group F Preview: Mexico, Sweden to Challenge Champion Germany," 8 June 2018
Because in the states’ view, Congress believed that the individual mandate was essential to the proper functioning of the rest of the ACA.

— nicholas bagley, Vox, "Trump’s legal attack on the ACA isn’t about health care. It’s a war on the rule of law.," 8 June 2018
The art of subtraction is essential to his skill as a writer and actor.

— jeffrey fleishman, latimes.com, "From ‘Sling Blade’ to ‘Goliath’: Billy Bob Thornton finds his peace," 7 June 2018
The establishment of women’s medical colleges and black colleges were essential to the training and success of black women physicians.

— leila mcneill, Smithsonian, "The Woman Who Challenged the Idea that Black Communities Were Destined for Disease," 6 June 2018
Protecting these resources is essential to Florida’s quality of life and our economic well-being.

— miamiherald, "Leigh-Ann Buchanan," 5 June 2018
Even that debate started, like all those Hollywood narratives, around a faulty assumption that police are essential to safe and secure communities.

— mychal denzel smith, The New Republic, "How America became over-policed," 5 June 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

The Ideal Bartender is a 15 week course is designed for students to learn the essentials of hospitality in a bar setting with focus on spirits education, cocktail creation, and bartending skills and techniques.

— maggie menderski, The Courier-Journal, "Copper & Kings wants to help low-wage workers. How? Superb cocktails," 29 May 2018
This program is designed to teach anglers of all levels the essentials of fly fishing, while encouraging angling as a family activity. 9 a.m. Izaak Walton League Sportsman Chapter, 5018 Onion Road, Pylesville.

— allana haynes, baltimoresun.com, "Summer festivals, fairs and other events in Harford County and around the state," 24 May 2018
Home Depot: Save on a wide range of products from patio furniture and home decor to gardening essentials and hardware.

— emily heller, Curbed, "All the best Memorial Day 2018 home goods sales to shop this week," 22 May 2018
The essentials of this historic drink have changed little since the first recipe was published in Lima in 1903 by S.E. Ledesma.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Drink: Pisco sour, a refreshing cocktail with a nod to the Andes," 18 May 2018
Participants will learn the essentials of branding, how to determine their target market, and how to manage their company’s online reputation.

— margeaux sippell, BostonGlobe.com, "Weekend business agenda," 3 May 2018
His conducting was very much in the same vein – loose and sparing – honed to the essentials especially by his 14 seasons as music director of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "John Williams explores galaxies far and near in enjoyable CSO program of his film music," 27 Apr. 2018
The essentials of this plan were announced by President Roh Tae-woo in September 1989.

— eric talmadge, Fox News, "A unified Korea? Leaders bring contrasting visions to summit," 26 Apr. 2018
Men should stick to seasonal essentials with Derby-specific accessories, like a needlepoint belt or a Derby pocket square.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "How to Throw the Most Festive Kentucky Derby Party of All Time," 19 Apr. 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