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definitions

inessential

[in-i-sen-shuh l]
See more synonyms for inessential on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. not essential; not necessary; nonessential.
  2. without essence; insubstantial.
noun
  1. that which is not essential.

Origin of inessential

First recorded in 1670–80; in-3 + essential
Related formsin·es·sen·ti·al·i·ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for inessential

wanton, surplus, accidental, needless, unessential, chance, prodigal, undesirable, excess, nonessential, additional, avoidable, casual, dispensable, exorbitant, expendable, extraneous, extrinsic, fortuitous, futile

Examples from the Web for inessential

Historical Examples of inessential

  • It is inessential here to recount the details of these movements.

  • None are inessential, however slight; and none are independent, however forcible.

  • It was not for Louie to spoil the sport by pointing out the inessential omission.

    The Story of Louie

    Oliver Onions

  • You've been a good father in every inessential way, but no father at all in all that goes to make us men.

  • Of course the "subliminal" theory is an inessential hypothesis, and the question of pluralism or monism is equally inessential.

British Dictionary definitions for inessential

inessential

adjective
  1. not necessary
noun
  1. anything that is not essential
Derived Formsinessentiality, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012