inessential

adjective

in·​es·​sen·​tial ˌi-nə-ˈsen(t)-shəl 

1

: not essential : unessential

2

: having no essence

inessential noun

Synonyms of inessential

• unnecessary

Examples of inessential in a Sentence

he writes very spare prose, with nary an inessential word to be found

Recent Examples on the Web

As inessential as the film was, the song felt like a comfortable fit alongside the group’s best material. —William Earl, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026

Won’t someone, even an inessential young reporter played by Myha’la, poke into the alleged scam? —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

But the team behind the image conversion seemingly used footage without a bunch of the usual postproduction edits—hence the appearance of inessential elements like those dutiful barf wranglers and, in the background of a different shot, contemporary store signage. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2025

Whatever the reasons, enough users consider Nextdoor inessential that its leaders were compelled to make the changes being announced now. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for inessential

• confidential
• differential
• inferential
• pestilential
• quintessential
• unessential
• equipotential
• experiential
• geopotential
• jurisprudential
• nonresidential
• overpotential