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essential

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of essential

1 impossible to do without
  • a well-stocked public library is essential for the well-being of a community
Synonyms of essential

all-important, critical, imperative, indispensable, integral, must-have, necessary, necessitous, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital
Words Related to essential

prerequisite

compulsory, mandatory, nonelective, obligatory

consequential, crucial, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, weighty

basic, central, fundamental, key, organic

insistent, persistent, pressing, urgent
Phrases Synonymous with essential

of the essence
Near Antonyms of essential

undesired, unwanted

inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant

excess, external, extra, extraneous, superfluous, surplus
Antonyms of essential

dispensable, inessential, needless, nonessential, unessential, unnecessary, unneeded
2 of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
  • anyone with an essential knowledge of human biology can follow the documentary
Synonyms of essential

abecedarian, basal, basic, beginning, elemental, elementary, fundamental, introductory, meat-and-potatoes, rudimental, rudimentary, underlying
Words Related to essential

primal, primary, prime, simple

crude, primeval, primitive, primordial, rude, uncomplicated

preliminary, preparatory

crucial, important, key
Near Antonyms of essential

complex, sophisticated

complicated, convoluted, detailed, elaborate, extensive, intricate

developed, evolved, high, higher, refined
Antonyms of essential

advanced
3 being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing
  • an unquenchable belief in the essential goodness of most people
Synonyms of essential

built-in, constitutional, constitutive, hardwired, immanent, inborn, inbred, indigenous, ingrain, ingrained (also engrained), inherent, innate, integral, intrinsic, native, natural
Words Related to essential

basic, deep-rooted, elemental, fundamental

congenital, hereditary, inherited, inmost, inner, interior

internal

characteristic, distinctive, peculiar

habitual, inveterate

normal, regular, typical
Phrases Synonymous with essential

in one's blood
Near Antonyms of essential

alien, foreign

accidental, coincidental, incidental

acquired, adscititious

superficial, surface

exterior, external
Antonyms of essential

adventitious, extraneous, extrinsic

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

Synonyms and Antonyms of essential

1 something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
  • the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude
Synonyms of essential

condition, demand, must, must-have, necessary, necessity, need, needful, requirement, requisite, sine qua non
Words Related to essential

precondition, prerequisite

advantage, edge, plus

desideration, desideratum, wish
Near Antonyms of essential

amenity, comfort, extra, extravagance, frill, indulgence, luxury, superfluity, surplus, surplusage
Antonyms of essential

nonessential, nonnecessity
2 essentials plural general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based
  • this will be just an introduction to the essentials of computer programming
Synonyms of essential

ABC(s), alphabet, basics, elements, fundamentals, grammar, principles, rudiments
Words Related to essential

basis, bedrock, cornerstone, foundation, groundwork, keystone, underpinning

nitty-gritty

belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, faith, philosophy

axiom, law, precept, tenet

rule, standard

theorem
Near Antonyms of essential

details, trivia

Learn More about essential

  1. See words that rhyme with essential Dictionary: Definition of essential Medical Dictionary: Definition of essential Spanish Central: Translation of essential Nglish: Translation of essential for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of essential for Arabic speakers

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