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essential

es·sen·tial

essential

 
 
pronunciation:
ih sen shl
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: fundamental; necessary; indispensable.
Water and air are essential to life.
 
synonyms:
basic, fundamental, indispensable, necessary, vital
antonyms:
circumstantial, dispensable, expendable, incidental, inessential, nonessential, superfluous, unessential, unnecessary
similar words:
bottom, central, critical, crucial, imperative, integral, intrinsic, key, living, obligate, primary, prime, principal, real, requisite, staple
definition 2: of or pertaining to the essence or core; not reducible.
Forgiveness is an essential theme of the play.
synonyms:
basic, fundamental, inherent, intrinsic, quintessential
antonyms:
accidental, adventitious, peripheral
similar words:
chief, distilled, key, main, principal, radical, real, substantial
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: that which is absolutely necessary.
My salary is just enough to pay for my essentials, so I can't afford any luxuries.
synonyms:
indispensable, necessary, necessity
antonyms:
inessential
similar words:
imperative, need, obligation, requirement, requisite
definition 2: that which is vital or basic.
I think I understood the essential points of his argument.
synonyms:
base, basic, cornerstone, foundation, fundamental
similar words:
attribute, characteristic, crux, element, extract, primary, quality, rudiment, trait
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derivation: essentially (adv.)
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