Word
indispensable
Phoneticsin·dis·pens·able
US/ˌɪndɪˈspɛnsəbəɫ/
UK/ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl/
In Japanese
indispensable; essential; requisite
indispensable; essential; must-have
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR. All sources.
Definitions
01absolutely necessary
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. so important or useful that it is impossible to manage without it.
adj. absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite; describing something that cannot be dispensed with or replaced.
“A good dictionary is indispensable for anyone learning a new language.”
“In the modern corporate landscape, a reliable high-speed internet connection has become an indispensable tool for daily operations.”
Antonyms
02a necessity
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. a person or thing that you cannot do without.
n. a person or thing that is considered essential or impossible to replace.
“For many commuters, a smartphone has become one of life's indispensables.”
“The report lists clean water and basic sanitation as the primary indispensables for the developing region.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“China is also positioning itself as an indispensable player in setting global standards for open-source hardware.” “Industry remains indispensable for transforming discoveries into products and services.” “Despite the growing value of citizen science, the researchers emphasize that expert taxonomists remain indispensable.” “The Irish soldiers and sailors who flocked to the patriot cause would prove indispensable to both the defense and the founding of their new country.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French indispensable, from Medieval Latin indispensābilis, corresponding to in- + dispensable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/indispensable