Meaning of essential In English

• 0 necessary or needed:

  • Government support will be essential if the project is to succeed.

  • There is essential work to be done before the building can be re-occupied.

  • Water is essential for/to living things.

  • It is essential (that) our prices remain competitive.

  • [ + to infinitive ] For the experiment to be valid, it is essential to record the data accurately.

• 1 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.

• 2 a basic thing that you cannot live without:

  • When we go on holiday, we only take the bare essentials.

  • This leaflet will give you the essentials of how to prepare for a hurricane.

  • Because I live in a remote village, I regard my car as an essential.

  • Her brilliance allowed her to distil any argument to its essentials.

  • This was his life story stripped down to its barest essentials.

• 3 extremely important or necessary:

  • A knowledge of Spanish is essential for this job.

  • There is an essential difference between the two sisters in their approach to life.

• 4 the basic things you need to live:

  • The study estimated the cost of essentials for a family of four – its food, shelter, and clothing needs.

  • the essentials of chemistry

• 5 very important or necessary:

  • Computer literacy is becoming as essential as the ability to drive a car.

  • an essential component/part of sth Selective expansion of our store base is an essential component of our long-term plan.

  • essential for sth Formulating new strategies is essential for preparing the corporation to meet and sustain future needs.

  • it is essential (that) It is essential our prices remain competitive.

  • it is essential to do sth It is essential to research and protect your patent.

  • essential to sth Knowledge, skills, and creativity are essential to creating high-value products.

• 6 a basic thing that you cannot live or succeed without:

  • This leaflet will give you the essentials of how to use the word processor.

  • Goods that were once considered luxuries are now treated as essentials by many.