Synonyms: necessary, necessity, essential, requirement, requisite
Definition: anything indispensable
Usage: food and shelter are necessities of life; the essentials of the good life; allow farmers to buy their requirements under favorable conditions; a place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be obtained
Similar words: thing
Definition: a separate and self-contained entity
Synonyms: essential
Definition: basic and fundamental
Usage: the essential feature
Definition: of primary importance
Similar words: biogenic
Definition: essential for maintaining the fundamental life processes
Usage: sleep and food and water are among the biogenic needs of the organism
Similar words: organic, constituent, constitutional, constitutive
Definition: constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup)
Similar words: must
Definition: highly recommended
Usage: a book that is must reading
Similar words: no-frills
Definition: characterized by the absence of inessential features
Usage: he got a no-frills introduction to the job
Similar words: staple
Definition: necessary or important, especially regarding food or commodities
Usage: wheat is a staple crop
Similar words: substantial, substantive
Definition: having a firm basis in reality and being therefore important, meaningful, or considerable
Usage: substantial equivalents
Similar words: virtual
Definition: existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact
Usage: a virtual dependence on charity; a virtual revolution; virtual reality
Similar words: vital, life-sustaining
Definition: performing an essential function in the living body
Usage: vital organs; blood and other vital fluids; the loss of vital heat in shock; a vital spot; life-giving love and praise
Synonyms: of the essence, essential, crucial, all important, all-important
Definition: of the greatest importance
Usage: the all-important subject of disarmament; crucial information; in chess cool nerves are of the essence
Similar words: important, of import
Definition: of great significance or value
Usage: important people; the important questions of the day
Synonyms: indispensable, essential
Definition: absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
Usage: essential tools and materials; funds essential to the completion of the project; an indispensable worker
Similar words: necessary
Definition: absolutely essential