unessential

adjective

un·​es·​sen·​tial ˌən-ə-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce unessential (audio)
1
: not essential : dispensable, unimportant
2
archaic : void of essence : insubstantial

Examples of unessential in a Sentence

don't pack any unessential items until we're sure we have room for everything we'll actually need
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Try to avoid unessential borrowing, such as taking out a personal loan for a vacation. Víctor Rosario, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025 In all, the resort had one, unessential ski lift damaged, while a few ski patrol and maintenance shacks burned down. Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2024 If necessary to reach an agreement, Biden and Blinken should threaten to withhold additional weapons systems that have been implicated in civilian casualties in Gaza and deemed unessential to Israel’s security, such as white phosphorous shells. Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2024 If no agreement occurs by September 30, the government will shut down all unessential services, ranging from air traffic controllers to staffers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who monitor for disease outbreaks. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for unessential

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unessential was circa 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Unessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unessential. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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