Synonyms

unessential

American

[uhn-uh-sen-shuhl] / ˌʌn əˈsɛn ʃəl /

adjective

not of prime importance; not indispensable.

Synonyms:

unimportant, dispensable, unnecessary

noun

an unessential thing; nonessential.

unessential British

/ ˌʌnɪˈsɛnʃəl /

adjective

a less common word for inessential

"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

noun

something that is not essential

"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

Other Word Forms

unessentially

adverb

Etymology

Origin of unessential

First recorded in 1650–60; un- ¹ + essential

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.

In all, the resort had one, unessential ski lift damaged, while a few ski patrol and maintenance shacks burned down.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2024

The use of lighting that is brighter than needed, or turned on at unessential times, has caused a widespread global fog of light.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2024

Buses and trains were cancelled in the Skane region on Thursday morning and authorities urged people to avoid unessential travel.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2024

The JMA urged residents in the area to avoid unessential outings and warned of potential mudslides, flooding and thunderstorms.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 14, 2023

But all this part of it seemed remote and unessential.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023