Words / B1

i-SENSHL/ɪˈsenʃl/

Essential means completely necessary: essential for life; it is essential that you register. Important is weaker; vital and crucial are close in strength. Essentials (plural noun) are the basic things you need. Essentially means “basically.” Pattern: essential to + noun / essential for + -ing. Not essential = optional.

Meaning

Completely necessary; extremely important.

Examples

• “Water is essential for life.”
• “A passport is essential for this trip.”
• “It is essential that everyone arrives on time.”

Good to know

essential for / to. it is essential that. Weaker: important. Noun plural: essentials. Adverb: essentially.

Near in meaning

vital

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