indispensable
Americanadjective
-
absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite.
an indispensable member of the staff.
- Synonyms:
- needed
-
incapable of being disregarded or neglected.
an indispensable obligation.
noun
adjective
-
absolutely necessary; essential
-
not to be disregarded or escaped
an indispensable role
noun
Synonym Usage
See necessary.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of indispensable
First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin indispēnsābilis “not subject to dispensation.” See in- 3, dispensable
Explanation
Indispensable is a strong adjective for something that you couldn't do without. If you have asthma and you're packing for summer vacation, your inhaler is indispensable, unless you enjoy gasping on the beach. Something that is dispensable is something you could get rid of, like that box of yogurt-covered zucchini snacks that's been in the pantry for a year. So if something is indispensable you couldn't possibly go without it, like salt, or for some people, coffee. Chocolate is indispensable for chocolate chip cookies, as is furniture for the adult hide-and-go-seek league.
Vocabulary lists containing indispensable
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
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Starting Your New Life: Inspiring Words from Commencement Speeches
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Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)
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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.
Coal has long been black gold for China's economy, and remains indispensable to keeping the lights on for its population of 1.4 billion people.
From BBC • May 31, 2026
"This skilled labour force know they are indispensable, they are contributing to these larger margins," he added.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
“This is the indispensable foundation for a successful strategic realignment.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
One of Latin America’s most indispensable storytellers, Martel is fascinated by how prevalent that dream still is in L.A. — that movies can change your life overnight.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Although I would not take back my criticisms, I could say that he had made a genuine and indispensable contribution to the peace process.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
