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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 › us › dictionaryESSENTIAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   essential adjective (BASIC) relating to something's or someone's basic or most important qualities: I love the building as it is, and don't want to do anything to change its essential character. She believes in the essential goodness of human beings. Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples.

3. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishessential adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishESSENTIAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   3 days ago · 1. adjective. Something that is essential is extremely important or absolutely necessary to a particular subject, situation, or activity. It was absolutely essential to separate crops from the areas that animals used as pasture. As they must also sprint over short distances, speed is essential.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishESSENTIAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › Essential

   Definitions of essential. adjective. basic and fundamental. “the essential feature” synonyms: crucial, important. of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis. basal, primary. of primary importance. biogenic. essential for maintaining the fundamental life processes. constituent, constitutional, constitutive, organic.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american

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   essential. adjective. /ɪˈsɛnʃl/ completely necessary; extremely important in a particular situation or for a particular activity synonym vital an essential part/ingredient/component of something essential services such as gas, water, and electricity Even in small companies, computers are an essential tool.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › essentialEssential - definition of essential by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › essential

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   1. vitally important; absolutely necessary. 2. basic; fundamental: the essential feature. 3. completely realized; absolute; perfect: essential beauty. 4. (Biochemistry) biochem (of an amino acid or a fatty acid) necessary for the normal growth of an organism but not synthesized by the organism and therefore required in the diet. 5.