must-have
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of must-have
First recorded in 1835–40; noun use of verb phrase must have
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Teens, tweens and even younger children are “squishy hunting,” stalking their local toy stores to get their hands on the gooey must-have item of the moment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
The must-have item in Silicon Valley is a $178 sweater with a CEO’s face.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026
Because of the showerheads’ rise to viral fame. they’ve been called a must-have item.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2024
For Colin Moore, a junior pitcher at Crescenta Valley High with Type 1 diabetes, he has another must-have item.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2024
Luxury cars fly over the city's markets, supervillains are armed with bionic arms and AI pets are a must-have item.
From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
