indispensable

American  

[in-di-spen-suh-buhl] / ˌɪn dɪˈspɛn sə bəl /

adjective

1. absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite.

   an indispensable member of the staff.

   Synonyms:

   needed

2. incapable of being disregarded or neglected.

   an indispensable obligation.

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noun

1. a person or thing that is indispensable.

indispensable British  

/ ˌɪndɪˈspɛnsəbəl /

adjective

1. absolutely necessary; essential

2. not to be disregarded or escaped

   an indispensable role

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noun

1. an indispensable person or thing

Related Words

See necessary.

Other Word Forms

• indispensability noun
• indispensableness noun
• indispensably adverb

Etymology

Origin of indispensable

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin indispēnsābilis “not subject to dispensation.” See in- ³, dispensable

Example Sentences

He called on both sides to "cease intolerable attacks against civilian objects that are indispensable to the civilian population, including markets, health facilities, schools and shelters".

From Barron's

Despite the dangers, Starlink has become indispensable for many Iranians communicating what is happening inside the country to the rest of the world.

From BBC

The document, released late last year, frames the island as an indispensable gear in the global economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

But they also “triggered an explosion of creativity. Music served as an individual and collective strategy of resistance, producing mental and spiritual nourishment no less indispensable than food.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Neutrality remains an indispensable guiding aspiration that counsels restraint and reminds administrators that their moral and epistemic authority is limited.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• basic
• crucial
• essential
• fundamental
• imperative
• necessary
• vital