inessential

/ˌɪnɪˈsenʃl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnɪˈsenʃl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌi-nə-ˈsen(t)-shəl/ (ame, mw)

inessential — adjective

  • inessentialpositive
  • more inessentialcomparative
  • most inessentialsuperlative

1. describes something that you can manage without — it is nice or useful but does

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes something that you can manage without — it is nice or useful but does not really matter if you have to do without it.

例句

Sahil packed only one small bag, leaving every inessential item at home for the trip.

inessential + noun (attributive use describing things)

During the budget review, Mira cut the inessential costs from the marketing department first.

collocation: inessential costs / expenses / spending

同義詞
  • unnecessary

    much more common in everyday speech; broader and less formal

  • nonessential

    near-synonym; preferred in American English and in formal lists (e.g. 'nonessential travel')

  • dispensable

    emphasises that something can be removed or replaced without harm

  • superfluous

    stresses that something is more than needed, often slightly wasteful

反義詞
  • essential

    the direct opposite — absolutely needed

  • necessary

    everyday opposite; required for a purpose

  • vital

    stronger opposite; needed for life or success

用法筆記

Frequently appears in formal or written contexts such as budgets, planning, or editing — when speaking, native speakers more often say 'not necessary' or 'not needed'.

常見錯誤

❌The water is inessential for plants.
✅Water is essential for plants.
💡'inessential' means NOT necessary, so it cannot describe something that life or a system truly depends on.