indispensable

[in-di-spen-suh-buhl]

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.

noun

1. a person or thing that is indispensable.

indispensable

/ ˌɪndɪˈspɛnsəbəl /

adjective

1. absolutely necessary; essential

2. not to be disregarded or escaped

   an indispensable role

noun

1. an indispensable person or thing

Other Word Forms

• indispensability noun
• indispensableness noun
• indispensably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indispensable¹

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

Synonym Study

See necessary.

Example Sentences

The country emerged as Russia’s most indispensable buyer since the war on Ukraine.

Read more on Barron's

This doesn’t mean the history, tradition and sense of place Mr. Vance stresses are irrelevant, only that most Americans see the shared creedal affirmation as an indispensable element of America’s civic identity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While the research university has been indispensable for the technological foundations of U.S. wealth and power, its mission has to be understood principally in educational terms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Gaul devotes an entire chapter to an indispensable preparation called tasbika, a rich tomato-based medium for simmering vegetable and meat stews.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Food banks have become an indispensable resource for many as inflation drives prices ever higher.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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