French word

incontournable

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃kɔ̃tuʁnabl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveessential

Example

Ce plat est incontournable dans cette région.

This dish is a must in this region.

Illustration for incontournable (essential)

More examples

Ce film est incontournable pour comprendre l'histoire du cinéma.

This film is a must-see for understanding the history of cinema.

Core concept

A key stop or feature that cannot be bypassed and therefore matters.

Common phrases

  • film incontournable

    must-see film

  • série incontournable

    must-see series

  • personnage incontournable

    essential character

Similar words

indispensable: Absolutely necessary, with no acceptable substitute.
nécessaire: Needed to achieve a particular purpose or result.

Definition in French

Décrit ce qui, dans une situation, ne peut pas être contourné et qui est jugé essentiel.

Word origin

Incontournable combines the negative prefix in- with contournable, formed from contourner, meaning to go around.

Usage tips

  • As a noun, un incontournable means a must-see or essential item, with des incontournables in the plural.

Other meanings

  • unmissableadjective

Opposites

  • facultatifoptionaladjective
  • dispensabledispensableadjective

Word lists with this word