adj. Function: adjective
1
Synonyms: INHERENT , congenital, connate, constitutional, deep-seated, elemental, inborn, inbred, innate, intrinsic
Contrasted Words: conditional, contingent, dependent
Antonyms: accidental
2 so important to the nature and essence of a thing as to be indispensable FF1C; the essential ingredient in this medicine is a new drug FF1E;
Synonyms: cardinal, constitutive, fundamental, vital
Related Words: basal, basic, underlying; capital, chief, foremost, leading, main, principal; primal, primary, prime
Contrasted Words: dependent, secondary, subordinate; accessory, auxiliary, contributory, subsidiary
3
Synonyms: ELEMENTAL 1, basic, elementary, fundamental, primitive, substratal, underlying
4 urgently required FF1C; raw materials essential to industry FF1E;
Synonyms: imperative, indispensable, necessary, necessitous, prerequisite
Related Words: needed, needful; required, requisite, wanted; right-hand; vital
Contrasted Words: dispensable, unnecessary, unneeded, unrequired, unwanted
Antonyms: nonessential