ENGLISH
REFERENCE

indispensable

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɪndɪˈspɛnsəbəɫ// UK //ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl// in·dis·pens·able Archaic Informal

adj. something or someone that is so important that you cannot do without them. It describes a person or tool that is completely necessary for a job or situation.

adj. absolutely necessary or essential; impossible to replace or do without. Often used to describe human capital or critical infrastructure within a system.


SIMPLE

A good dictionary is indispensable for language learners.

CONTEXTUAL

Her deep knowledge of the local market made her an indispensable member of the international sales team.

COMPLEX

While individual components may seem minor, the specialized software remains indispensable to the integrity of the entire security network, as no viable alternative currently exists.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French indispensable, from Medieval Latin indispensābilis, corresponding to in- + dispensable.

Usage

Typically follows a linking verb or precedes the noun it modifies; frequently paired with the preposition 'to'.

Pitfall

an indispensable tool for the joban indispensable tool to the jobWhile 'for' is common, 'indispensable to' is the standard collocation when describing necessity within a specific system or process.

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