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1. Dictionary

   Es·sen·tial

   /əˈsen(t)SH(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. absolutely necessary; extremely important: "it is essential to keep up-to-date records" Similar crucialnecessarykeyvitalindispensableneededrequiredcalled forrequisiteimportantall-importantvitally importantof the utmost importanceof great consequenceof the essencecriticallife-and-deathimperativemandatorycompulsoryobligatorycompellingurgentpressingburningacuteparamountpreeminenthigh-prioritysignificantconsequentialOpposite inessentialunimportantoptional
   • ▪ fundamental or central to the nature of something or someone: "the essential weakness of the plaintiff's case" Similar basicinherentfundamentalquintessentialintrinsicunderlyingcharacteristicinnaterudimentaryprimaryprincipalcardinalchiefelementaryelementalcentralpivotalcriticalkeyfocalsalientstaplevitalnecessaryindispensablefoundationalingrainedOpposite secondary
   • ▪ (of an amino acid or fatty acid) required for normal growth but not synthesized in the body and therefore necessary in the diet.
   • 2. (of a disease) with no known external stimulus or cause; idiopathic: "essential hypertension"

   noun

   • 1. a thing that is absolutely necessary: "we had only the bare essentials in the way of gear" Similar necessitynecessary/essential itemprerequisiterequisiterequirementneedconditionpreconditionspecificationstipulationqualificationdesideratumsine qua noninformal:mustOpposite inessential
   • ▪ the fundamental elements or characteristics of something: "he was quick to grasp the essentials of an opponent's argument" Similar fundamentalsbasicsrudimentsprinciplesfirst principlesfoundationspreliminariesgroundworkessencebasiscorekernelnubmarrowmeatcruxbedrockfactshard factspracticalitiesrealitiessine qua noninformal:nitty-grittybrass tacksnuts and boltsABCOpposite minutiae

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘in the highest degree’): from late Latin essentialis, from Latin essentia (see essence).

   Derivatives

   • 1. essentiality noun
   • 2. essentialness noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › essentialESSENTIAL | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › essential

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   ESSENTIAL meaning: 1. very important and necessary: 2. the most basic and important: . Learn more.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › essential%23ESSENTIAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › essential%23

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   Essential definition: absolutely necessary; indispensable. See examples of ESSENTIAL used in a sentence.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionessential adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Definition of essential adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › essential_2essential noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › essential_2

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   something that is needed in a particular situation or in order to do a particular thing. I only had time to pack the bare essentials (= the most necessary things). The studio had all the essentials like heating and running water.

6. www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › essentialEssential - Definition, Meaning, Synonyms & Etymology

   www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › essential

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   Dictionary definition of essential. Absolutely necessary, fundamental, or vital. "Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind." Detailed meaning of essential. It signifies the crucial importance or indispensable nature of a particular entity, quality, or action.

7. en.thefreedictionary.com › essentialEssential - definition of essential by The Free Dictionary

   en.thefreedictionary.com › essential

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   Define essential. essential synonyms, essential pronunciation, essential translation, English dictionary definition of essential. adj. 1. Constituting or being part of the nature or essence of something; inherent: "In that era of general good will ... few Americans doubted the...

8. www.oed.com › dictionary › essential_adjessential, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › essential_adj

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   Of a nutrient or other metabolically active substance: that is required for the survival and normal growth of an organism; spec. that is not made in adequate amounts by the body and must be obtained in the diet; as essential amino acid, essential fatty acid, essential vitamin, etc.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › essential_1essential adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › essential_1

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   essential extremely important and completely necessary, because without it something cannot exist, be made, or be successful: Experience is essential for this job. vital essential: The police play a vital role in our society.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › essentialESSENTIAL - 68 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English

    dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › essential

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    basic. I just need some basic information. elementary. I started an elementary-level art history course. fundamental. One of the most fundamental principles of the rule of law is that one person cannot be punished for the actions of another. rudimentary.

11. en.bab.la › dictionary › englishessential - Definition in English - bab.la

    en.bab.la › dictionary › english

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    essential. UK /ɪˈsɛnʃl/ adjective 1. absolutely necessary; extremely important (with infinitive) it is essential to keep up-to-date records fibre is an essential ingredient of our diet (attributive) fundamental or central to the nature of something or someone the essential weakness of the plaintiff's case (of an amino acid or fatty acid ...