French Conversation · Level 55
73 words
French word
essentiel
Pronunciation
IPA/esɑ̃sjɛl/
Meaning
- adjectiveessential
Example
Le sommeil est essentiel pour la santé.
Sleep is essential for health.
More examples
La confiance entre collègues est essentielle.
Trust between colleagues is essential.
Core concept
A vital piece at the core of something that makes its purpose possible.
Common phrases
rôle essentiel
essential role
essentiel pour la survie
essential for survival
Similar words
important: Significant in value or influence and impossible to overlook.
nécessaire: Required for a specific purpose or action.
indispensable: Absolutely necessary for a purpose or action to be possible.
Definition in French
Qui est nécessaire au point qu'on ne peut s'en passer pour atteindre un objectif ou assurer une fonction.
Word origin
French essentiel comes through Latin essentialis, related to essentia, "essence," from the verb esse, "to be."
Usage tips
- Essentiel commonly combines with à or pour, as in essentiel à la santé and essentiel pour la santé.
Other meanings
- importantadjective
Opposites
- accessoiresecondaryadjective
Related words
- essentiellementessentiallyadverb