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

Other Word Forms

• indispensability noun
• indispensableness noun
• indispensably 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

Former President Barack Obama, while eulogizing Arizona Sen. John McCain in 2018, referred to the United States as the “indispensable nation.”

From Salon

The agreements expand “access to C-SPAN’s unfiltered coverage of U.S. government for millions of subscribers nationwide, further strengthening the network’s role as an indispensable source of public affairs programming,” C-SPAN said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Koki said he recognised smartphones were "useful and indispensable in daily life" but pointed out that some students were missing school because they refused to leave home without their phone.

From BBC

Fifty-three years ago, the United States was still the leader of the free world — the indispensable nation.

From Salon

Maybe, like all the best underdogs — your second-favorite tote bag, the backup perfume you suddenly can’t live without — it doesn’t need to be flashy to be indispensable.

From Salon

Related Words

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