indispensable

Indispensable is an adjective that describes something or someone absolutely necessary; it denotes that something cannot be dispensed with in a given context. Objects, skills, people, or conditions described as indispensable are considered essential to achieving a goal, ensuring safety, or maintaining function. In common usage, the term often carries a strong positive appraisal, highlighting critical importance rather than mere usefulness.

Etymology: The form is built from the prefix in- meaning not, added to dispensable, yielding “not to be dispensed with.” The word entered English in the early modern period, influenced by French indispensable and ultimately from Latin indispensabilis meaning “not to be dispensed with,” from dispensare to distribute or dispense.

Usage notes: Indispensable is typically reserved for highly important items, roles, or concepts. It coexists with synonyms such as essential, crucial, and vital, though it implies a stronger necessity than ordinary usefulness. It is often contrasted with dispensable, which describes things that can be given up without harming the objective.

See also: essential, necessity, indispensability.