How to pronounce essential
Say it like eh-SEN-shul. Essential has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN).
- eh
- SEN
- shul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Essential pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ehKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of essential
American and British speakers say essential in essentially the same way: /ɛˈsɛnʃəl/ in the US and /ɪˈsɛnʃəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-SEN-shul.
What does essential mean?
- absolutely necessary; vitally necessary“essential tools and materials”“funds essential to the completion of the project”
- basic and fundamental“the essential feature”
- of the greatest importance“the all-important subject of disarmament”“crucial information”
- anything indispensable“food and shelter are necessities of life”“the essentials of the good life”
Where does essential come from?
From Late Latin essentiālis, from Latin essentia (“being, essence”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with essential
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of essential.
- potential
- presidential
- residential
- influential
- confidential
- differential
- existential
- exponential
- sequential
- preferential
Questions about saying essential
How do you pronounce essential?
Say eh-SEN-shul. The American pronunciation is /ɛˈsɛnʃəl/. In British English it is /ɪˈsɛnʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in essential?
Essential has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN). Broken into parts: eh · SEN · shul.
Do Americans and Brits say essential the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɛˈsɛnʃəl/ and the British form is /ɪˈsɛnʃəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.