unessential

[ uhn-uh-sen-shuhl ]

adjective

1. not of prime importance; not indispensable.

   Synonyms: unimportant, dispensable, unnecessary

noun

1. an unessential thing; nonessential.

unessential

/ ˌʌnɪˈsɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. See inessential
   a less common word for inessential

noun

1. something that is not essential

Derived Forms

• ˌunesˈsentially, adverb

Other Words From

• unes·sential·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unessential¹

First recorded in 1650–60; un- ¹ + essential

Example Sentences

The aversion to excess stimuli that some people with autism spectrum disorder show, Small says, could be the result of a brain unable to let go of unessential inputs.

From Time

In January, the court ruled that the 100-round magazine used in the shooting was an accessory that was unessential to the use of the firearm, so it wasn’t protected under federal law.

From Time

What you spend will depend on how many special but unessential features you need and how much time you want to devote to cleaning your machine after each use.

From Popular-Science

To all which questions, not unessential in a Biographic work, mere Conjecture must for most part return answer.

From Project Gutenberg

This closing up of unessential clefts is an approach to the relief.

From Project Gutenberg

Let there be but a fine idealism in the quest, and the particular object is unessential.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of the entire universe, they worship a more or less unessential part of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Because the universe is the supreme being, therefore all differences, even those of opinion, are unessential.

From Project Gutenberg