unessential

adjective

un·​es·​sen·​tial ˌən-ə-ˈsen(t)-shəl 

1

: not essential : dispensable, unimportant

2

archaic : void of essence : insubstantial

Synonyms

• dispensable
• gratuitous
• inessential
• needless
• nonessential
• uncalled-for
• unnecessary
• unwarranted

Examples of unessential in a Sentence

don't pack any unessential items until we're sure we have room for everything we'll actually need

Recent Examples on the Web

If no agreement occurs by September 30, the government will shut down all unessential services, ranging from air traffic controllers to staffers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who monitor for disease outbreaks. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2023

Their reunion doesn’t last long, as Sarah can’t keep away from the Pogue life, and through another tangle of unessential details, the whole crew comes together to discover the Cross of Santo Domingo in the ceiling of an old church. —Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 22 Feb. 2023

Relegated to Marvel’s 1992 annual issues, Citizen Kang initially felt a little unessential. —Joe George, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023

Each expert was hesitant about the current pandemic climate in Texas and the potential for increased spread through unessential activities. —Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1