indispensable
gb/ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl/ us/ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl/
B2
English
~ 5600
nélkülözhetetlen, elengedhetetlen, létfontosságú, kötelező, előírt
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something/someone] is indispensable (to/for [something])
A reliable internet connection is indispensable for working from home.
A megbízható internetkapcsolat nélkülözhetetlen az otthoni munkavégzéshez.
Good communication is indispensable to a healthy relationship.
A jó kommunikáció elengedhetetlen egy egészséges párkapcsolathoz.
Water is indispensable to all forms of life.
For this recipe, fresh basil is indispensable.
Her support was indispensable in getting the project finished on time.
Learner examples
A phone is indispensable for my job.
A telefonom nélkülözhetetlen a munkámhoz.
Sleep is indispensable for good health.
Az alvás elengedhetetlen a jó egészséghez.
English is indispensable for this international company.
Your help was indispensable to our team.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "indispensable" with "dispensable" because of the similar form, but they are opposites: "indispensable" means "cannot be done without", while "dispensable" means "not necessary". Another common mistake is saying "very indispensable"; because "indispensable" already means "absolutely necessary", modifiers like "very" or "quite" are usually unnecessary, though "almost indispensable" or "almost essential" is acceptable.
Meaning
absolutely necessary; essential
Collocations
indispensable part
|indispensable role
|indispensable tool
|indispensable resource
|absolutely indispensable
|become indispensable
Synonyms
essential (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and a bit more general in everyday speech.)
|
vital (Emphasizes life-or-death or very high importance, often more emotional or dramatic.)
|
crucial (Stresses that something is extremely important for success at a key moment.)
|
necessary (More general and slightly weaker; does not always imply that something is absolutely impossible without it.)
Antonyms
dispensable (Direct opposite; describes something that is not needed and can be left out or replaced.)
|
unnecessary (Says that something is not needed at all, often implying it is extra or a waste.)
|
nonessential (More formal; describes something that is not a core or required part.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
So important and needed that you cannot do without it or them.
So necessary and important that something or someone cannot be done without.
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[requirement/duty] is indispensable under [law/rule/policy]
Attendance at the safety briefing is indispensable under company policy.
A biztonsági eligazításon való részvétel a vállalati szabályzat szerint kötelező.
The judge stressed that transparency is an indispensable duty of public officials.
A bíró hangsúlyozta, hogy az átláthatóság biztosítása a köztisztviselők kötelező kötelessége.
Written consent is an indispensable condition for participation in the study.
Accurate financial reporting is an indispensable obligation for all listed companies.
Learner examples
In this school, wearing a uniform is an indispensable rule.
Ebben az iskolában kötelező szabály az egyenruha viselése.
A passport is an indispensable requirement for getting the visa.
Az útlevél előírt követelmény a vízum megszerzéséhez.
Honest reporting is an indispensable duty for journalists.
Regular safety checks are an indispensable obligation in this factory.
Common mistake:
Learners may not notice the more formal, legal or official tone of this sense and may use it in casual situations where simple "necessary" or "required" would sound more natural. They may also confuse this with the general sense of "indispensable" without linking it to specific rules, laws, or duties.
Meaning
cannot be ignored or omitted
Collocations
indispensable condition
|indispensable requirement
|indispensable duty
|indispensable obligation
Synonyms
mandatory (Common in legal or official language; clearly states that something must be done.)
|
obligatory (Formal; stresses that something is required by a rule, law, or moral duty.)
|
binding (Legal term; emphasizes that an agreement or duty must be followed and cannot be avoided.)
Antonyms
optional (States that something is not required and may be done or not done freely.)
|
discretionary (Formal; describes actions that are left to someone's choice or judgment rather than required by rules.)
Themes
law
|government
|business
|work
Definition
Needed because a rule, law, or duty says it must happen and it cannot be left out.
Required by rules, law, or duty, and therefore impossible to ignore, cancel, or omit.
Grammar
Dictionary form
indispensable
IPA
GB/ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl/
US/ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl/
Syllables & stress
in - dis - pens - able (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (pens)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: indispensable
Word family
Negative and opposite forms
dispensable
adjective C1
Related words
dispense
verb B2
dispenser
noun
Advanced or less common
indispensably
adverb
indispensability
noun
Expressions
an indispensable part of
1/ən ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl pˈɑɹt əv/
fixed phrase
a necessary component of something
Used to say that something is a necessary piece of a larger thing, activity, or situation.
Examples
- Volunteers are an indispensable part of our organization.
- Trust is an indispensable part of any strong marriage.
- Digital skills are now an indispensable part of education.
indispensable for
1/ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl fɚ/
fixed phrase
necessary for a purpose or activity
Used after a noun to say that something is needed for a certain purpose or activity.
Examples
- Vitamins are indispensable for healthy growth.
- Regular practice is indispensable for learning a language.
indispensable to
1/ˌɪndɪspˈɛnsəbəl tə/
fixed phrase
essential to someone or something
Used after a noun to say that something is necessary for a person, thing, or action.
Examples
- A good team is indispensable to a successful business.
- Clear goals are indispensable to effective planning.