Spanish word

indispensable

Pronunciation

IPA/indispenˈsaβle/

Meaning

  • adjectiveindispensable

Example

Un café por la mañana es indispensable para mí.

A morning coffee is indispensable to me.

Illustration for indispensable (indispensable)

More examples

Para muchos estudiantes, un diccionario es indispensable en el estudio.

For many students, a dictionary is indispensable for studying.

Core concept

A part that a machine cannot function without.

Common phrases

  • considerado indispensable

    regarded indispensable

  • indispensable para

    indispensable to

Similar words

imprescindible: Absolutely required for an action or situation to take place; omission prevents it.
esencial: Fundamental element at the core of something that defines its nature.
necesario: Needed to achieve a goal or complete a task.
vital: Essential for life or for determining whether something succeeds.

Definition in Spanish

Que no puede faltar porque resulta necesario para lograr un fin o para el buen funcionamiento de algo.

Word origin

The word comes from Latin indispensabilis, from in- 'not' plus dispensare 'to dispense', originally meaning 'not able to be dispensed with'.

Usage tips

  • This is a strong word in Spanish, so speakers use necesario for milder needs, and it commonly appears as ser indispensable para + noun or infinitive.

Other meanings

  • essentialadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word