indispensable

1 of 2

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable member of the staff

is indispensable to the team

2

: not subject to being set aside or neglected

an indispensable obligation

indispensability

ˌin-di-ˌspen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

indispensable noun

indispensableness

ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl-nəs 

noun

indispensably

ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

indispensability

2 of 2

noun

in·​dis·​pens·​abil·​i·​ty ¦ində̇ˌspen(t)sə¦bilətē 

-lətē, 

-i

: the quality or state of being indispensable

Synonyms of indispensable

Adjective

• essential
• necessary
• integral
• required
• needed
• needful
• vital

Examples of indispensable in a Sentence

Adjective

fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Scientists like Munster are indispensable for figuring out the source of pandemic viruses, whether bats, pigs, rats, or some other animal, Andersen said. — CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Public capital remains indispensable for reaching underserved communities. — Yariv Cohen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

While the federal government remains indispensable in public health, these state-level collaborations demonstrated that regional governance can emerge quickly when national leadership falters. — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

In that future, people will remain indispensable for exercising judgement, building trust, navigating ambiguity and taking accountability for outcomes. — Tony Bates, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for indispensable

• compensable
• condensable
• defensible
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indefensible
• reprehensible
• supersensible
• incomprehensible

Kids Definition

indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl 

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable employee

indispensability

-ˌpen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pen·​sa·​ble ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl 

: having rights so connected to the claims of the parties to an action that the action cannot be adjudicated without affecting those rights see also indispensable party at party