adjective

indispensable

indispensable, essential

A good dictionary is indispensable for language learners.

A good dictionary is indispensable for language learners.

She became indispensable to the team.

She became indispensable to the team.

((indispensable)) ((for/to sb./sth.)) absolutely necessary for (sb./sth.) Air is indispensable to life.

((indispensable)) + noun an absolutely necessary (noun) He is an indispensable member of the team.

Synonyms: essential, vital, crucial; Antonyms: dispensable, unnecessary, superfluous

From the prefix 'in-' (not) + 'dispensable' (can be done without). Literally means 'not able to be done without'.

If something is 'dispensable', you can 'dispense' with it (get rid of it). If it's 'indispensable', you cannot.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.