indispensable

[ in-di-spen-suh-buhl ]

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.

noun

1. a person or thing that is indispensable.

indispensable

/ ˌɪndɪˈspɛnsəbəl /

adjective

1. absolutely necessary; essential
2. not to be disregarded or escaped

   an indispensable role

noun

1. an indispensable person or thing

Derived Forms

• ˌindisˌpensaˈbility, noun
• ˌindisˈpensably, adverb

Other Words From

• indis·pensa·bili·ty indis·pensa·ble·ness noun
• indis·pensa·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indispensable¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin indispēnsābilis “not subject to dispensation.” See in- ³, dispensable

Synonym Study

See necessary.

Example Sentences

“Being a good journalist is the first defense,” he adds, so getting the facts right is indispensable.

From Los Angeles Times

Molly Belle Wright plays the young Beth, but it’s the indispensable Judy Greer who hoists this project on her back and carries it.

From Los Angeles Times

And yet, in the 2024 election, Twitter seemed every bit as indispensable to the political conversation as it was in 2020 and 2016.

From Slate

California will once again play an indispensable role in defending individual liberties and protecting vulnerable communities as well as defending environmental protections.

From Los Angeles Times

As Chris Geidner wrote for his indispensable Law Dork substack, Alito was telling the world that “he, Thomas, and Gorsuch were open, in the context of Tuesday’s general election, to considering in a future case whether the Pennsylvania Supreme Court had gone too far.”

From Slate

Related Words

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