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1. Dictionary

   essential

   /ɪˈsɛnʃl/

   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-deathimperativemandatorycompulsoryobligatorycompellingurgentpressingburningacuteparamountpre-eminenthigh-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 only had the bare essentials in the way of equipment" 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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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishESSENTIAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   ESSENTIAL definition: 1. necessary or needed: 2. relating to something's or someone's basic or most important qualities…. Learn more.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryESSENTIAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   ESSENTIAL meaning: 1. necessary or needed: 2. relating to something's or someone's basic or most important qualities…. Learn more.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › essential

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   The meaning of ESSENTIAL is of, relating to, or constituting essence : inherent. How to use essential in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Essential.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   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.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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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.

9. www.dictionary.com › browse › essential%23ESSENTIAL Definition & Usage Examples | 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.

10. 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.

11. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishessential adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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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.