indispensable

adjective

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

1

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable member of the staff

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

Synonyms

• all-important
• critical
• essential
• imperative
• integral
• must-have
• necessary
• necessitous
• needed
• needful
• required
• requisite
• vital

Examples of indispensable in a Sentence

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

Business leaders must shift their focus from simply acquiring AI tools to strategically embedding them within human-centric processes, ensuring that twice literate humans are in the loop, empowered and indispensable. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Vest: Brunello Cucinelli Photo : Photographed by Luke Dickey/Styled by Alex Badia An indispensable garment for a certain segment of professional males, the vest is, frankly, quite practical. —Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 11 June 2025

There are many reasons why a pair of night vision goggles is indispensable to you. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025

Future directions and unknowns Cerebrospinal fluid is indispensable for brain health. —Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 28 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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