Essentials
/ɪˈsɛnʃəlz/
nounB1plural
Definition
Essentials are the basic and very important things that you need. These can be objects, ideas, or facts that are necessary for a particular purpose or situation. For example, food and water are essentials for life, or knowing the essentials of a language means knowing the most important words and rules.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Basic necessary things for life or a task
- •Water and food are essentials for survival.
- •When you move to a new house, you should pack the essentials first.
- •The teacher explained the essentials of grammar in the first lesson.
Important facts or skills that are needed to understand or do something
- •Learning the essentials of driving is important before going on the road.
- •The book covers the essentials of photography for beginners.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "essentials" like "needs" (A1 word), but these are the most important or basic needs you cannot live without or do without.
- ✓Picture a small bag with just the things you must take on a trip, like your passport, money, and phone—these are your essentials.
- ✓It's the feeling of having just what you need and nothing extra, like packing light but smart.
- ✓Sounds like "ee-SEN-shuls" → imagine a SENtence that has only the most important words, no extra words.
- ✓Think of a survival kit with only the essentials inside—water, food, and first aid—nothing more.
- ✓NOT like "extras" (things that are nice but not necessary), essentials are must-haves.
- ✓NOT like "luxuries" (extra comforts), essentials are basic and needed.
- ✓NOT like "optional" things, essentials are required.
Try Other Words
- •Basics: simple and first important things (Use when focusing on beginner or simple level)
- •Necessities: things you must have (Use when emphasizing survival or very important needs)
- •Fundamentals: basic principles or ideas (Use when talking about important ideas or skills)
- •Requirements: things needed for a specific purpose (Use when referring to rules or conditions)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "essential" + plural suffix "-s"
- •Etymology: From Latin "essentialis," meaning "relating to essence or being necessary"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 15th century to mean something necessary or very important
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to talk about things or knowledge that are very important or required in daily life or specific tasks
- •Key insight: Essentials are the foundation or core parts without which something cannot work or exist
Reflect & Connect
•What do you think are the essentials you need every day, and why?
•How would your life change if you only had the essentials and no extras?
Fill in the blanks
1.When packing for a trip, I always make sure to bring the essentials like ___ and ___.
2.The essentials of learning a language include basic vocabulary and ___.
3.Unlike luxury items, essentials are things you ___ live without.
4.She focused on the essentials and left out all the ___ details.
5.In an emergency, having the essentials can ___ your life.
6.The teacher explained the essentials ___ clearly so everyone could understand.
7.If you forget the essentials, you might find it ___ to complete the task.