Words / C1

ind-i-SPENS-uh-bl/ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/

Indispensable means you cannot do without it: an indispensable spare, indispensable to the rota. Essential and necessary are everyday cousins. Dispensable is the rare opposite (can be done without). Do not call a favourite mug indispensable in a risk assessment.

Meaning

So necessary that you cannot do without it.

Examples

• “A spare invigilator is indispensable on a stormy Monday.”
• “A spare invigilator is indispensable on a storm Monday; a third logo is not.”
• “Essential is the everyday twin; indispensable is the “remove it and the system fails” test.”

Good to know

Cannot be done without. Everyday: essential / necessary. Opposite: dispensable. Test: remove it and the job fails.

Near in meaning

essential

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