essential

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

Updated on: 20 Apr 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

—

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 Mission Statement of BBB4E is exposure, experience and exploration available through the literary, visual & musical arts are essential to the potential of every child.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Arts group collecting shoes of every shape and size," 16 Apr. 2018
Russia has a presence on most Syrian military bases, and its air force has been essential to Mr. Assad’s recent advances.

— helene cooper and ben hubbard, New York Times, "Pentagon Says Syria Strikes Hit ‘Heart’ of Chemical Weapons Program," 14 Apr. 2018
Buying expensive artisanal pasta in eye-catching shapes isn’t essential to making a delicious dish.

— Time, "9 Ways You're Ruining Your Pasta, From an Expert Chef," 13 Apr. 2018
Stretching The mom of two said stretching is essential to her overall fitness.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "Get Halle Berry's Top Fitness Tips: 'Good Health and Wellness Is What Real Beauty Is All About'," 13 Apr. 2018
For Lissoni, interaction and coming together of different minds is essential to creating objects.

— damon johnstun, OregonLive.com, "Minimalist master Piero Lissoni is surprisingly funny: Milan Design Week (photos)," 13 Apr. 2018
Environmental activists say that while shipping contributes only 2-3 percent of global greenhouse gases, the industry's efforts are essential to combating climate change.

— Fox News, "UN body reaches agreement to cut global shipping emissions," 13 Apr. 2018
McLaughlin is an assistant dean at the University of Alabama Law School, and her business acumen has been essential to the project.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Collaborative community space hosts music, art shows," 12 Apr. 2018
Minit rewards multiple playthroughs with more items to find, locations to visit, and puzzles to solve that are not essential to the main storyline.

— nick statt, The Verge, "Minit is a beautifully crafted love letter to classic games and the art of death," 7 Apr. 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

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

Today’s outfit focused on closet essentials that Clooney elevated through feminine accessories.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Amal Clooney Knows How to Upgrade the Basic LBD," 9 Apr. 2018
Any suggestions on essentials to pack in a carry-on and how?

— ellen warren, chicagotribune.com, "Europe on one suitcase: How to do it right," 3 Apr. 2018
However, Pointe Break does graciously accommodate laundry mid-week, which is all the more reason to pare down to your essentials.

— kara ladd, Harper's BAZAAR, "Just Back From...Nosara, Costa Rica," 3 Apr. 2018
First, Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, says to stock up on these essentials: Got it?

— lauren smith, Good Housekeeping, "How to Clean and Maintain Laminate Floors," 28 Mar. 2018
Many home goods retailers seem ready for warmer weather too, serving up clearance sales on spring essentials like patio furniture, dining basics, pastel decor, and more.

— emily heller, Curbed, "The 10 best spring furniture sales to shop right now," 12 Mar. 2018
Target announced on its website that starting in February, customers will be able to stock up on essentials (grocery, toiletries, and so on) online or via the Shipt app.

— becca endicott, ELLE Decor, "Target Is Finally Launching A Same-Day Delivery Platform," 26 Jan. 2018
Plus, the early start date offers a major perk: first pickings on costume essentials.

— amber elliott, Houston Chronicle, "What to Wear: Moody Gardens annual Mardi Gras Ball for Special People jazzes things up," 24 Jan. 2018
Drivers in the mountains, such as Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass, should prepare for difficult conditions by packing an emergency kit, including flashlights and a spare cellphone charger, among other essentials.

— jessica lee, The Seattle Times, "Are you ready? Here comes a deluge of rain, snow across Western Washington," 23 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of essential

15th century

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