- that cannot be dispensed with or neglected
- that cannot be omitted; absolutely necessary or required
an indispensable person or thing
adjective
The definition of indispensable is essential or absolutely necessary.
When a part is needed to make a machine work, this is an example of when the part isindispensable.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2018 by LoveToKnow Corp
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"indispensable." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable>.
APA Style
indispensable. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable
indispensable
Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fifth Edition Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"indispensable." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable>.
APA Style
indispensable. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable
indispensable
adjective
- Absolutely necessary; essential.
- Obligatory; unavoidable: the routine but indispensable ceremonies of state.
noun
One that is indispensable.
Related Forms:
- in′dis·pens′a·bil′i·ty in′dis·pens′a·ble·ness
noun
- in′dis·pens′a·bly
adverb
THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"indispensable." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable>.
APA Style
indispensable. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable
indispensable
indispensable essential necessary needful requisite
These adjectives indicate a pressing need: foods indispensable to good nutrition; funds essential to completing the project; necessary tools and materials; provided them with all things needful; lacking the requisite qualifications.
THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"indispensable." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable>.
APA Style
indispensable. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable
Adjective
(comparative more indispensable, superlative most indispensable)
- (of duties, rules etc.) Unbendable, that cannot be set aside or ignored. [from 17th c.]
- The law was moral and indispensable. -Bp. Burnet
- Absolutely necessary or requisite; that one cannot do without. [from 17th c.]
- An indispensable component of a heart-healthy diet.
Antonyms
Noun
(plural indispensables)
- A thing that is not dispensable; a necessity. [from 17th c.]
- (in the plural, colloquial, dated) Trousers. [from 19th c.]
Origin
From Middle French indispensable, from Medieval Latin indispensabilis, corresponding to in- + dispensable.
English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.
Link to this page
Cite this page
MLA Style
"indispensable." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable>.
APA Style
indispensable. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Indispensable
