different between unnecessary vs inessential

English

Etymology

un- +? necessary

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?n?n?.s?.s(?)?? /, /?n?n?.s??s?.??/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?n?n?.s??s?.?i/
• Rhymes: -æri
• (UK, US, nonstandard) IPA^(key): /?n?n?s.?.??/

Adjective

unnecessary (comparative more unnecessary, superlative most unnecessary)

1. Not needed or necessary.

   The automatic child-frightener made clowns unnecessary.
2. Done in addition to requirements; unrequired.

Synonyms

• (not needed): superfluous, unneeded, needless, innecessary
• (in addition to requirements): additional, innecessary

Antonyms

• (not needed): necessary, needed
• (in addition to requirements): required, mandatory

Derived terms

Translations

English

Etymology

in- +? essential

Adjective

inessential (not comparable)

1. Not essential.

   Leave inessential items behind when there is a fire alarm.

2. Lacking essence or being.

Synonyms

• (not essential): unnecessary, unneeded
• (lacking essence or being): See also Thesaurus:inexistent
• (both senses): nonessential, unessential

Antonyms

• (not essential): essential; See also Thesaurus:requisite
• (lacking essence or being): extant, existent; See also Thesaurus:existent

Translations

Noun

inessential (plural inessentials)

1. (often in plural) Something that is not essential