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

But things change quickly in tech, and the company still has to convince the market and customers that it remains indispensable.

From Barron's

The many industrial uses of petroleum make it indispensable to the economy.

From Barron's

But the reality was the opposite: Her whole persona was about being indispensable to others.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not to mention the intelligence capabilities indispensable for such an operation?

From The Wall Street Journal

"We are still struggling to replace the king that is oil," said Perrin, recalling its indispensable role in transportation and petrochemicals.

From Barron's

Related Words

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