essential

essential adjective

/ɪˈsenʃl/

1 completely necessary; extremely important in a particular situation or for a particular activity

an essential part/feature of something

an essential element/ingredient/component of something

The local government is not able to provide essential services such as gas, water and electricity.

Vitamins play an essential role in many body processes.

The museum is closed while essential repairs are being carried out.

The charity will be taking food and essential supplies to six refugee camps.

This book is essential reading for all nature lovers.

All events are free, but booking is essential.

essential to something Money is not essential to happiness.

essential for something Experience is essential for this job.

it is essential to do something It is essential to keep the two groups separate.

it is essential for somebody/something to do something It is absolutely essential for all those involved in education to be computer-literate

it is essential that… It is essential that you have some experience.

Although useful, the accessories are by no means essential.

Diet is crucial; exercise is equally essential.

Do you consider these textbooks essential for the course?

He believed that some form of religion was essential to human life.

Increased competition makes it essential for the business to innovate.

It is becoming almost essential for students to have a second language.

the skills essential for success

Listening to people's concerns is an essential part of my job.

Collocations

verbs

adverb

preposition

The essential difference between Sara and me is in our attitude to money.

He describes what he thinks is the essential nature of America.

The essential character of the town has been destroyed by the new road.

The film captures an essential truth of adolescence

Word Origin

Middle English (in the sense ‘in the highest degree’): from late Latin essentialis, from Latin essentia, from esse ‘be’.