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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. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › essentialEssential Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › essential

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   Learn the meaning of essential as an adjective and a noun, with synonyms, examples, and word history. Find out how essential relates to essence, importance, necessity, and diet.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › essentialESSENTIAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › essential

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   Learn the meaning of essential as an adjective, noun, and adverb in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Find out how to use essential in different contexts, such as business, education, and grammar.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › essentialESSENTIAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › essential

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

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › essentialESSENTIAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › essential

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   Learn the meaning of essential as an adjective, noun, and adverb in English. Find out how to use essential to describe something that is necessary, basic, or important, and see examples from different contexts.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › essentialESSENTIAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › essential

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   1 day ago · Learn the meaning of essential as an adjective and a noun, and find out its synonyms and related words. See how essential is used in different contexts and domains, such as biochemistry, music, and logic.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and usage of the adjective essential, which means completely necessary or extremely important. Find synonyms, antonyms, collocations and examples of essential in different contexts.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › EssentialEssential - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › Essential

   Essential means very basic or necessary. A good frying pan is one of a short list of kitchen essentials every cook must have. To prevent fires, it's essential to turn off appliances before leaving the house. The adjective essential is often followed by to or that: It is essential to wash your hands.