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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. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › essential

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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. As they must also sprint over short distances, speed is essential.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › essential

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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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › essential

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   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.

6. 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.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   completely necessary; extremely important in a particular situation or for a particular activity synonym vital. an essential part/feature of something. an essential element/ingredient/component of something.

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.