necessary, essential

necessary, essential
These words are used interchangeably to mean "indispensable or requisite for the fulfillment or accomplishment of something." What is necessary or essential cannot be done without, cannot be dispensed with: "Water is necessary (or essential) to sustain life." "It is essential (or necessary) that you vote today." Essential is the stronger word: it means "pertaining to the very essence of being." If you tell someone that he must attend a meeting, that it is necessary for him to be there, you are expressing strong desire and are implying some compulsion. But if you tell him that it is essential for him to attend, the implication is that if he doesn't, the meeting will be canceled.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • necessary — necessariness, n. /nes euh ser ee/, adj., n., pl. necessaries. adj. 1. being essential, indispensable, or requisite: a necessary part of the motor. 2. happening or existing by necessity: a necessary change in our plans. 3. acting or proceeding… …   Universalium

  • necessary — adjective 1) parental permission is necessary Syn: obligatory, requisite, required, compulsory, mandatory, imperative, needed, de rigueur; essential, indispensable, vital 2) a necessary consequence Syn …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • essential — es|sen|tial1 W2S2 [ıˈsenʃəl] adj 1.) extremely important and necessary essential for/to ▪ A good diet is essential for everyone. it is essential (that) ▪ It is essential that our pilots are given the best possible training. it is essential to do… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • essential — es|sen|tial1 [ ı senʃl ] adjective *** 1. ) completely necessary: In a large organization, good internal communication is essential. essential for: Light is absolutely essential for the healthy development of plants. essential to: He had acquired …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • essential — I UK [ɪˈsenʃ(ə)l] / US adjective *** 1) completely necessary In a large organization, good internal communication is essential. essential for: Light is absolutely essential for the healthy development of plants. essential to: He had acquired the… …   English dictionary

  • essential — See necessary. See necessary, essential …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • necessary — See necessary, essential …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • necessary — I (inescapable) adjective avoidless, certain, choiceless, compelling, constraining, decided, decreed, designated, destined, expected, fated, fateful, fixed, foreordained, imminent, impending, ineluctable, includible, inevitable, inexorable,… …   Law dictionary

  • necessary — [nes′ə ser΄ē] adj. [ME < L necessarius < necesse, unavoidable, necessary < ne , not + cedere, to give way: see CEDE] 1. that cannot be dispensed with; essential; indispensable [the nutriments necessary to life] 2. resulting from… …   English World dictionary

  • essential — I (inherent) adjective basal, basic, basilar, basilary, elemental, fundamental, immanent, implicit, integral, intrinsic, intrinsical, main, primary II (required) adjective basic, binding, called for, chief, compulsory, critical, crucial, demanded …   Law dictionary

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