Essential
Essential noun - Something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable.
Usage example: the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude
Need is a synonym for essential in necessary topic. In some cases you can use "Need" instead a noun "Essential", when it comes to topics like necessity.
Need
Need noun - A state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful.
Usage example: when it came time to wrap the presents, he found he was in need of adhesive tape
Essential is a synonym for need in requirement topic. You can use "Essential" instead a noun "Need", if it concerns topics such as necessary, want.
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
How words are described
Both words in one sentence
-
Killing "gate guardians" and enemies with drops you need may count as necessary kills, but many have Mooks that make killing just the essential enemy a little hard.
Source: Video Game / Fantasy Life - If I believed in the essential goodness of man I'd be Kira too and we certainly don't need two of those.
Source: Fanfic / All You Need Is Love - In Brand, Ibsen is far from subtle, and hammers his message down: The Power of Love is essential when helping out your fellow men in a time of need.
Source: Some Anvils Need to Be Dropped
Cite this Source
Need and Essential. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/essential/need
Essential & Need. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/essential/need>.
Need or Essential. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/essential/need.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "essential" and "need" have occurred on timeline