indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable member of the staff

2

: not subject to being set aside or neglected

an indispensable obligation

indispensability

ˌin-di-ˌspen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

indispensable noun

indispensableness

ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl-nəs 

noun

indispensably

ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• all-important
• critical
• essential
• imperative
• integral
• must-have
• necessary
• necessitous
• needed
• needful
• required
• requisite
• vital

Examples of indispensable in a Sentence

fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth

Recent Examples on the Web

From financing first-time homeowners and fueling small businesses to investing in vital community infrastructure like health centers and schools, CDFIs are an indispensable force in revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering economic mobility. —Kevin Cohee, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Winner of Locarno’s Best Director and, in recognition of its indispensable ensemble of four, Best Performance awards. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025

Martinez played an indispensable role in leading Boston to a 108-win regular season capped off by the team's fourth World Series championship in 15 years. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

For the time being, Washington remains Berlin’s indispensable security partner. —Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for indispensable

• compensable
• condensable
• defensible
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indefensible
• reprehensible
• supersensible
• incomprehensible

Kids Definition

indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl 

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable employee

indispensability

-ˌpen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pen·​sa·​ble ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl 

: having rights so connected to the claims of the parties to an action that the action cannot be adjudicated without affecting those rights see also indispensable party at party