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

Loktev didn’t set out to be a witness to history, but what she’s emerged with is an indispensable record and a rallying cry.

From Los Angeles Times

“Daily Memo” has become the diary Los Angeles never asked for but which is now indispensable, documenting in real time one of the most terrifying chapters in the region’s history.

From Los Angeles Times

These minerals are indispensable for everything from electric vehicles to defense technologies.

From The Wall Street Journal

She has kept her head down, Staley said, and made herself an indispensable part of the undefeated defending national champions.

From Seattle Times

“As we expect a significant increase of demand for EV batteries going forward, securing critical minerals indispensable for their production is a pressing task,” Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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