INDISPENSABLE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does indispensable mean? 

• INDISPENSABLE (adjective)
  The adjective INDISPENSABLE has 3 senses:

1. not to be dispensed with; essential

2. absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

3. unavoidable

  Familiarity information: INDISPENSABLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INDISPENSABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not to be dispensed with; essential

Context example:

foods indispensable to good nutrition

Similar:

critical; vital (urgently needed; absolutely necessary)

Also:

necessary (absolutely essential)

Attribute:

dispensability; dispensableness (the quality possessed by something that you can get along without)

Antonym:

dispensable (capable of being dispensed with or done without)

Derivation:

indispensability; indispensableness (the quality possessed by something that you cannot possibly do without)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

Synonyms:

essential; indispensable

Context example:

an indispensable worker

Similar:

necessary (absolutely essential)

Derivation:

indispensability; indispensableness (the quality possessed by something that you cannot possibly do without)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Unavoidable

Context example:

the routine but indispensable ceremonies of state

Similar:

obligatory (morally or legally constraining or binding)

 Context examples 

This education is indispensable for whatever career you select, and it must not be slipshod or sketchy.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

They think it indispensable that he should be upon the spot.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The center of an object; indispensable

(Core, NCI Thesaurus)

There is nothing like employment, active indispensable employment, for relieving sorrow.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

A protein cytokine secreted by T-cells and macrophages following cell activation by antigens or mitogens, GM-CSF is indispensable for the growth and development of granulocyte and macrophage progenitor cells.

(GM-CSF cDNA/Gold Complex, NCI Thesaurus)

Emma then felt it indispensable to wish him a good night.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Mycroft draws four hundred and fifty pounds a year, remains a subordinate, has no ambitions of any kind, will receive neither honour nor title, but remains the most indispensable man in the country.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A Greek friend had come to see him upon business, he said, and as he could speak nothing but his own tongue, the services of an interpreter were indispensable.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was addressed to him, and ran thus: Please await me. Terrible misfortune. Right wing three-quarter missing, indispensable to-morrow. OVERTON.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Perrault was in a hurry, and he prided himself on his knowledge of ice, which knowledge was indispensable, for the fall ice was very thin, and where there was swift water, there was no ice at all.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)