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.

Related Words

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