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Word a Day

essential

adjective · Level 1 · Starter

What does essential mean?

essential (adjective): necessary.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where does essential come from?

From Late Latin essentiālis, from Latin essentia (“being, essence”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What are synonyms of essential?

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “essential”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “essential” mean?

very small

Not quite: that's what tiny means.

well known

Not quite: that's what famous means.

very old

Not quite: that's what ancient means.

necessary

Right! That's what “essential” means.

Which word is closest in meaning to “essential”?

comprehensive

Not quite: comprehensive means something else.

psychological

Not quite: psychological means something else.

uncomfortable

Not quite: uncomfortable means something else.

indispensable

Right!

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