Dictionary
1essential
adjective es·sen·tial \i-ˈsen(t)-shəl\
: extremely important and necessary
: very basic
Full Definition of ESSENTIAL
2
a : of the utmost importance : basic, indispensable, necessary <an essential requirement for admission to college> b : being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet <dietary protein provides the body with essential amino acids> — compare nonessential 2
3
: idiopathic <essential disease> <essential hypertension>
— es·sen·tial·ly \-ˈsench-lē, -ˈsen-chə-\ adverb
— es·sen·tial·ness \-ˈsen-chəl-nəs\ noun
See essential defined for English-language learners
See essential defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of ESSENTIAL
14th century
Related to ESSENTIAL
- Synonyms
- all-important, critical, imperative, indispensable, integral, must-have, necessary, necessitous, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital, of the essence
- Antonyms
- dispensable, inessential, needless, nonessential, unessential, unnecessary, unneeded
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>.
2essential
noun
: something that is basic or necessary : something essential
Full Definition of ESSENTIAL
1
: something basic <the essentials of astronomy>
2
: something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
See essential defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ESSENTIAL
15th century
Related to ESSENTIAL
- Synonyms
- condition, demand, must, must-have, necessary, necessity, need, needful, requirement, requisite, sine qua non
- Antonyms
- nonessential, nonnecessity
Rhymes with ESSENTIAL
ESSENTIALNESS Defined for Kids
1essential
adjective es·sen·tial \i-ˈsen-shəl\
Definition of ESSENTIAL for Kids
1
: extremely important or necessary <It is essential that we all meet here.>
2
: forming or belonging to the basic part of something <Free speech is an essential right of citizenship.>
— es·sen·tial·ly adverb
2essential
noun
Definition of ESSENTIAL for Kids
: something that is basic or necessary <I packed the bare essentials for the trip.>
Medical Dictionary
essential
adjective es·sen·tial \i-ˈsen-chəl\
Medical Definition of ESSENTIAL
1
: being, relating to, or containing an essence <an essential odor>
2
: being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet <essential fatty acids>—compare nonessential
3
: having no obvious or known cause : idiopathic <essential disease>
Learn More About ESSENTIAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: essential clausePrevious Word in the Dictionary: essentiaAll Words Near: essential
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up essential? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).