What does "essentials" mean?

1. (basic necessities) the most important things you need to live or to do a specific activity. 2. (core information) the most important facts or skills you need to understand a subject.

How do you use "essentials"?

Always used in the plural form in this sense. Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

essentials

US //ɛˈsɛnʃəɫz// UK //ɪsˈɛnʃəlz// es·sen·tials

1 basic necessities (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the most important things you need to live or to do a specific activity.

the fundamental items or conditions required for survival or for a particular purpose.

Example

When we went camping, we only packed the essentials like food, water, and a tent.

Example

The relief agency focused on delivering essentials such as clean water and medical supplies to the displaced families before addressing long-term infrastructure needs.

Usage

Always used in the plural form in this sense.
- luxuries
- extras
2 core information (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the most important facts or skills you need to understand a subject.

the basic principles or fundamental elements of a field of study or a complex topic.

Example

This short course will teach you the essentials of digital photography in one weekend.

Example

Before moving on to advanced calculus, students must demonstrate a firm grasp of the essentials of algebraic functions.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
- details
- minutiae