essential 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce essential (audio)
Definition of essentialnext
1
as in necessary
impossible to do without a well-stocked public library is essential for the well-being of a community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in basic
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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in integral
being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing an unquenchable belief in the essential goodness of most people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

essential

2 of 2

noun

1
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in principles
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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word essential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of essential are cardinal, fundamental, and vital. While all these words 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

When could cardinal be used to replace essential?

While in some cases nearly identical to essential, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When is fundamental a more appropriate choice than essential?

While the synonyms fundamental and essential are close in meaning, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When would vital be a good substitute for essential?

The words vital and essential are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of essential
Adjective
That is a part of their POV and witnessing, and that’s very essential to documentary filmmaking. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 While essential to its business model, building an omnichannel presence was difficult for Dossier, after its initial direct-to-consumer debut. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
Keep scrolling to shop our ultimate Thanksgiving hosting guide, featuring cooking essentials, entertaining must haves, table decor and more. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Their favorite bags blend form and function, with plenty of room for all the little essentials that make life at 40,000 feet a tad more enjoyable. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
  1. necessary
  2. basic
  3. integral
  4. must
  5. elements
  6. required
  7. rudimentary
  8. inherent
Adjective
  • The current job climate is creating conditions where pushing past your limits may feel necessary for career survival.
    — Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Successfully navigating those kinds of conflicts will be key if Sharma is to build up the authority and credibility necessary to get Xbox back on track.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of necessary
Adjective
  • This is the basic technology that revolutionized US oil a decade ago, and made the country by far the world’s top producer.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The basic problem is that extremely similar lawsuits can be brought in courts in different jurisdictions, which aren’t bound by rulings in other jurisdictions.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • The setback has since become an integral part of the piece’s legacy.
    — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Simmons said prosecutors in Guatemala were integral in securing convictions for Miranda Orozco and others.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of integral
Noun
  • Tantísimo, a farm-to-table Latin American restaurant, shares a patio with the boarding house and is a must for dinner or Sunday brunch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • As always, installing updates in a timely manner is also a must.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of must
Noun
  • Writer Arati Menon heads to Kitchen on the Edge of the World, a four-day event where top chefs harness the Arctic elements and local ingredients to create extraordinary culinary experiences.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The gaps between elements aren’t consistent, which makes the buds look seem cheaply put together.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of elements
Adjective
  • The agency said any contractor who has not completed required screening will not be authorized to perform mail-handling duties until those requirements are met.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • If the council follows staff’s recommendation during its Wednesday meeting, the project would retain its current approvals, subject to the required conditions.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • My Arabic, French, and Berber language skills are also rudimentary.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For a while, Crystal Lake hews closely to the very rudimentary mythology introduced in Sean Cunningham’s original movie.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • Miller makes the statistical adjustments required to nail the probabilities inherent in the prices.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Curic and his team have dialed down the caricature and delivered elegance to go with the innate drama of the vehicle, which is less obviously in hock to downforce or to the cooling demands inherent with other McLarens.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of inherent

Browse Nearby Words

essences
essential
essentialities
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All