essential
noun/ɪˈsenʃl/
/ɪˈsenʃl/
[usually plural]- something that is needed in a particular situation or in order to do a particular thing
- I only had time to pack the bare essentials (= the most necessary things).
- The studio had all the essentials like heating and running water.
- The relief agencies are trying to provide food and other basic essentials.
- an important basic fact or piece of knowledge about a subject
- the essentials of English grammar
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘in the highest degree’): from late Latin essentialis, from Latin essentia, from esse ‘be’.
Check pronunciation:
essential