essential

[ɪˈsɛnʃ(ə)l]

essential Definition

• 1. absolutely necessary; extremely important
• 2. a basic, fundamental element or characteristic

Using essential: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "essential" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  Water is essential for life.

• Example

  Good communication is essential in any relationship.

• Example

  It is essential that we arrive on time.

• Example

  The essential problem with the plan is its cost.

essential Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for essential

• crucial
• vital
• indispensable
• necessary
• key

Antonyms for essential

• inessential
• unnecessary

Idioms Using essential

• get down to the essentials

  focus on the most important aspects of something

  Example

  We need to get down to the essentials of this project and figure out what really matters.

• the bare essentials

  the absolute minimum necessary to survive or function

  Example

  When packing for the trip, make sure you bring only the bare essentials.

• cut to the essentials

  get straight to the most important points or information

  Example

  In the presentation, let's cut to the essentials and not waste time on unnecessary details.

Phrases with essential

• essential oils

  a concentrated liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants, used in alternative medicine and cosmetics

  Example

  She uses essential oils to help her relax and sleep better.

• essential tremor

  a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary shaking or trembling of particular parts of the body

  Example

  My grandfather has essential tremor, which makes it difficult for him to hold things steady.

• essential fatty acids

  fatty acids that are required for good health but cannot be produced by the body, and must be obtained through diet

  Example

  Fish oil is a good source of essential fatty acids.

Origins of essential

from Latin 'essentia', meaning 'being, essence'

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Summary: essential in Brief

The term 'essential' [ɪˈsɛnʃ(ə)l] denotes something that is absolutely necessary or extremely important, such as water for life or good communication in relationships. It can also refer to a basic, fundamental element or characteristic, as in 'The essential problem with the plan is its cost.' The phrase 'essential oils' refers to concentrated liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants, while 'essential tremor' is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary shaking. Idioms like 'get down to the essentials' and 'cut to the essentials' emphasize focusing on the most important aspects of something.