Essentials
ɪˈsɛnʃəlz
Definitions
2 meaningsItems or elements that are absolutely necessary or indispensable.
ɪˈsɛnʃəlz
Things that are absolutely necessary or indispensable.
Don't forget the essentials when you go on a picnic: food, drinks, and a blanket.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're going on a trip. What are the things you absolutely HAVE to bring? Those are the essentials! Like a toothbrush or your favorite toy!
👶 For kids: The stuff you REALLY need to have, like food or water.
More Examples
She packed her medical essentials for the long journey.
We gathered the essentials and evacuated the building.
How It's Used
"The packing list included the essentials for the camping trip: tent, sleeping bag, and food."
"Before leaving for the airport, she made sure she had her travel essentials: passport, ticket, and phone."
Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
ɪˈsɛnʃəl
Relating to or constituting the essence of something; fundamental.
Clean water is essential for human survival.
💡 Simply: Imagine something is super important, like breathing! That's essential. It means you can't live without it.
👶 For kids: Very important and you can't do without it!
More Examples
Good communication is essential for a successful team.
The essential ingredient in this recipe is fresh basil.
How It's Used
"The essential nature of reality is a topic of ongoing debate among philosophers."
"Building a strong customer base is essential to business success."
Idioms & expressions
Back to basics
To return to fundamental principles or methods.
"After the experiment failed, the scientist decided to go back to basics and review the original hypothesis."
The bare essentials
The most basic and necessary things.
"When she went backpacking, she only packed the bare essentials to keep her pack light."
From Middle English *essential*, from Latin *essentialis* ('belonging to the essence'), from *essentia* ('essence').
The word 'essential' and its related forms have been used since the Middle Ages, reflecting the evolving understanding of what is crucial and fundamental.
Memory tip
Think of the 'essentials' as the bare minimum you need to survive or function.
Word Origin
"related to the 'essence' of something, its core nature or the qualities that make it what it is."