Basic Details
Word: Essential
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Completely necessary; something you cannot do without.
Synonyms: necessary, vital, crucial, basic
Antonyms: unnecessary, optional, minor
How to Spell Essential
Syllables: es - sen - tial
Tricky part: The word opens with a double s and ends in tial, not cial or shal, even though the end sounds like shul.
Watch out for: esential, essencial, essentail
Memory tip: Essential grows out of essence. Keep the two s's of essence, then change its ce ending to tial.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Water and a torch are essential on a trek in the Western Ghats.
Example 2: Regular practice is essential if you want to play the tabla well.
Example 3: Mum says sleep is as essential as revision the night before an exam.
Fun Fact
Oils taken from plants such as lavender and eucalyptus are called essential oils. The name does not mean they are necessary; it means they hold the essence, or scent, of the plant.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. essential 2. consiencious 3. permenant 4. benificial
a) lasting for ever or a very long time
b) good or helpful in its effect
c) careful to do work well and properly
d) absolutely necessary
Show answer
d) absolutely necessary. Essential is the correct one; conscientious needs sc and tious, permanent has an a after the m, and beneficial an e after the n.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
e_sen_ial
a) s, s
b) s, t
c) s, c
d) c, t
Show answer
b) s, t. The opening needs a second s, and the ending is written tial with a t, although it sounds like sh.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word essential as used in the sentence:
A valid passport is essential for anyone flying from India to another country.
a) required
b) vital
c) important
d) unnecessary
Show answer
d) unnecessary. Something unnecessary can be left out, which is the opposite of essential.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The essential point of a story is its ____ point.
a) longest
b) main
c) last
d) funniest
Show answer
b) main
2. For a green plant to make its food, which of these is essential?
a) sunlight
b) a clay pot
c) a garden wall
d) a name label
Show answer
a) sunlight
