Top 32 Slang For Necessity – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to everyday essentials, sometimes regular words just don’t cut it. That’s where slang for necessity comes in handy. From must-haves to can’t-live-withouts, our team has compiled a list of trendy terms that will make you feel in the know and ready to tackle any situation. So, buckle up and get ready to level up your vocab game with our top picks for slang that’s essential in today’s world.

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1. Must-have

A “must-have” refers to an item that is considered essential or necessary. It is something that is highly desired or required for a particular purpose or situation.

For example, “A good pair of sneakers is a must-have for any athlete.”
In a fashion context, someone might say, “The little black dress is a must-have for every woman’s wardrobe.”
A tech enthusiast might declare, “The latest smartphone is a must-have for staying connected in today’s digital age.”

2. Can’t live without

When someone says they “can’t live without” something, they are emphasizing the importance and necessity of that item or thing in their life. It implies that they heavily rely on or greatly value that particular thing.

For instance, a coffee lover might say, “I can’t live without my morning cup of coffee.”
A music enthusiast might declare, “I can’t live without my headphones; music is my life.”
A person who loves to travel might exclaim, “I can’t live without my passport; it’s my ticket to adventure.”

3. Essential

Something that is “essential” is absolutely necessary or extremely important. It refers to something that is fundamental or indispensable in a particular context or situation.

For example, in a survival scenario, water and food are considered essential for staying alive.
In a skincare routine, a moisturizer is often considered an essential product for maintaining healthy skin.
A professional chef might say, “Good knives are essential tools in the kitchen.”

4. Indispensable

When something is described as “indispensable,” it means that it is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without. It emphasizes the crucial role or value of that particular thing.

For instance, in a team, an indispensable member is someone whose contribution is vital and cannot be replaced.
In a business context, a software or tool that is indispensable is one that is essential for the smooth operation of the company.
A person might say, “My smartphone has become indispensable in my daily life; I use it for everything.”

5. Vital

Something that is “vital” is of utmost importance or essential for a particular purpose or situation. It signifies that without that particular thing, the desired outcome or goal cannot be achieved.

For example, in a medical emergency, prompt medical attention is vital for saving lives.
In a job interview, good communication skills are often considered vital for impressing the interviewer.
A person might say, “A good night’s sleep is vital for maintaining overall health and well-being.”

6. Crucial

Something that is extremely important or necessary. It refers to a situation or item that is vital for the successful completion of a task or achieving a goal.

For example, in a team meeting, someone might say, “It’s crucial that we meet our sales targets this quarter.”
A coach might emphasize the importance of a certain skill by saying, “Good communication is crucial for a successful team.”
In a job interview, a candidate might mention, “Time management skills are crucial for this role.”

7. Key

Refers to something that is of utmost importance or necessary for the success or functioning of a particular situation, system, or process.

For instance, in a business meeting, someone might say, “Effective communication is key to building strong client relationships.”
A teacher might stress the importance of studying by saying, “Consistent practice is key to improving your math skills.”
In a sports game, a coach might emphasize the significance of teamwork by stating, “Team chemistry is key to winning.”

8. Necessary evil

Refers to something that is required or essential, but is disliked or considered unpleasant or undesirable.

For example, in a work setting, someone might refer to administrative tasks as a necessary evil, saying, “Filling out paperwork is a necessary evil in this job.”
A student might describe studying for exams as a necessary evil, saying, “I don’t enjoy studying, but it’s a necessary evil to pass my classes.”
In a household, someone might refer to doing chores as a necessary evil, saying, “Cleaning the house is a necessary evil to maintain a tidy living environment.”

9. Must

Refers to something that is required or expected to be done, often indicating a strong sense of obligation or necessity.

For instance, a teacher might say, “You must complete your homework by tomorrow.”
In a job interview, an employer might state, “Applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience.”
A parent might tell their child, “You must brush your teeth before going to bed.”

10. Needful

Refers to something that is necessary or required, often indicating a sense of urgency or importance.

For example, in a medical context, a doctor might say, “Immediate surgery is needful to save the patient’s life.”
In a financial discussion, someone might say, “Saving for retirement is needful to ensure financial security in the future.”
A manager might emphasize the need for teamwork by saying, “Collaboration is needful for the success of this project.”

11. Requisite

This term refers to something that is necessary or essential for a particular purpose or situation. It implies that the item or action is required in order for something else to happen or be successful.

For example, “Good communication skills are a requisite for this job.”
In a discussion about college admissions, someone might say, “Meeting the minimum GPA requirement is a requisite for getting into this university.”
A coach might tell their team, “Hard work and dedication are requisites for winning the championship.”

12. Imperative

This word is used to emphasize that something is absolutely necessary or essential. It conveys a sense of urgency and importance, suggesting that without the specified action or item, negative consequences may occur.

For instance, “It is imperative that we find a solution to this problem.”
In a workplace setting, a manager might say, “Meeting deadlines is imperative for the success of our team.”
A teacher might tell their students, “It is imperative that you study for the upcoming exam.”

13. Compulsory

This term indicates that something is mandatory or obligatory, meaning it must be done or followed. It implies that there are consequences for not complying with the specified requirement.

For example, “Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory while driving.”
In a school setting, a teacher might say, “Attendance is compulsory for all students.”
A sign at a swimming pool might state, “Swim caps are compulsory for all swimmers.”

14. Mandatory

This word is used to describe something that is required or commanded by authority. It suggests that there are rules or regulations in place that mandate the specified action or item.

For instance, “Submitting a completed application form is mandatory for consideration.”
In a workplace, an employee handbook might state, “Attendance at the monthly staff meetings is mandatory.”
A sign at a construction site might read, “Wearing a hard hat is mandatory within this area.”

15. Prerequisite

This term refers to something that must be fulfilled or achieved before something else can happen or be done. It implies that the specified item or action is a necessary condition for the successful completion of another task or goal.

For example, “Having a valid driver’s license is a prerequisite for renting a car.”
In a job listing, it might state, “A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for this position.”
A professor might tell their students, “Completing the prerequisite courses is necessary before enrolling in this advanced class.”

16. Compelling

When something is described as compelling, it means that it is extremely necessary or important. It conveys a sense of urgency or irresistible appeal.

For example, “This documentary is compelling, you have to watch it.”
A person might say, “The evidence presented is compelling, we must take action.”
In a discussion about a book, someone might recommend, “It’s a compelling read, you won’t be able to put it down.”

17. Must-do

When something is a must-do, it means that it is an essential or required task that cannot be skipped or ignored. It emphasizes the importance or necessity of completing the task.

For instance, “Visiting the Eiffel Tower is a must-do when in Paris.”
A traveler might say, “Exploring the local cuisine is a must-do when visiting a new country.”
In a list of recommendations, someone might suggest, “Hiking to the summit is a must-do for nature enthusiasts.”

18. Must-need

When something is described as a must-need, it means that it is absolutely necessary or indispensable. It emphasizes the importance or essential nature of the item or action.

For example, “A reliable internet connection is a must-need for remote work.”
A person might say, “I must-need a cup of coffee to start my day.”
In a discussion about survival gear, someone might mention, “A good knife is a must-need in any emergency kit.”

19. Must-happen

When something is described as a must-happen, it means that it is an event or occurrence that is bound to happen or is inevitable. It emphasizes the certainty or unavoidable nature of the event.

For instance, “A confrontation between the two rivals is a must-happen.”
A person might say, “If we don’t address the issue, a disaster will must-happen.”
In a discussion about future trends, someone might predict, “The shift towards renewable energy is a must-happen for a sustainable future.”

20. Must-see

When something is described as a must-see, it means that it is an experience or sight that is highly recommended or considered essential to witness. It conveys a sense of excitement or importance attached to the experience.

For example, “The Grand Canyon is a must-see natural wonder.”
A traveler might say, “The sunset over the ocean is a must-see when visiting this coastal town.”
In a list of cultural attractions, someone might recommend, “The local art museum is a must-see for art enthusiasts.”

21. Must-try

This phrase is used to suggest that something is worth experiencing or attempting. It implies that the item or activity in question is highly recommended and should not be missed.

For example, a food blogger might write, “This new restaurant is a must-try for all food lovers.”
A travel enthusiast might say, “Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must-try experience.”
A friend might recommend a movie by saying, “You have to watch this film. It’s a must-try for any movie buff.”

22. Must-read

This phrase is used to emphasize the importance or value of a book, article, or other written material. It suggests that the piece of writing is highly recommended and should be prioritized.

For instance, a book lover might say, “This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys mystery.”
A teacher might assign a classic novel and explain, “It’s a must-read because it explores important themes.”
A reader might recommend a thought-provoking article by saying, “This essay is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice.”

23. Must-watch

This phrase is used to indicate that a movie, TV show, or other form of visual entertainment is highly recommended and should not be missed. It implies that the content is exceptional or noteworthy.

For example, a film critic might write, “This new release is a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts.”
A friend might recommend a TV series by saying, “You have to watch this show. It’s a must-watch for any fan of drama.”
A movie buff might suggest a classic film and explain, “It’s a must-watch because it’s a masterpiece of storytelling.”

24. Must-listen

This phrase is used to emphasize the importance or value of a song, album, podcast, or other form of audio content. It suggests that the piece of audio is highly recommended and should be given priority.

For instance, a music lover might say, “This album is a must-listen for fans of rock music.”
A podcast enthusiast might recommend an informative episode by saying, “You have to listen to this episode. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in science.”
A friend might share a powerful spoken word performance and explain, “This poem is a must-listen because it captures important social issues.”

25. Required

This word is used to indicate that something is necessary or obligatory. It implies that the item or action in question is not optional and must be done or obtained.

For example, a teacher might say, “Attendance is required for this class.”
A sign on a door might state, “ID is required for entry.”
A job posting might list certain qualifications as “required” for applicants.

26. Necessity

This term refers to something that is necessary or indispensable for a particular purpose or situation.

For example, “Water is a necessity for survival.”
In a discussion about camping, someone might say, “A tent is a necessity when spending the night outdoors.”
A traveler might say, “A passport is a necessity when crossing international borders.”

27. Must-use

This phrase indicates that a particular tool or item is essential and should be used in a specific situation or for a specific purpose.

For instance, “A hammer is a must-use tool when building furniture.”
In a cooking context, someone might say, “A whisk is a must-use utensil for making fluffy scrambled eggs.”
A DIY enthusiast might say, “Safety goggles are a must-use when operating power tools.”

28. Must-know

This slang term refers to information or skills that are crucial or important to know.

For example, “Basic first aid is a must-know for everyone.”
In a discussion about technology, someone might say, “Knowing how to troubleshoot computer issues is a must-know in today’s digital age.”
A language learner might say, “Understanding grammar rules is a must-know when studying a new language.”

29. Must-eat

This phrase is used to highlight a specific dish or food item that is highly recommended or considered essential to try.

For instance, “When visiting New York City, a hot slice of pizza is a must-eat.”
In a discussion about regional cuisine, someone might say, “Trying a traditional banh mi sandwich in Vietnam is a must-eat experience.”
A food critic might say, “The signature dish at that restaurant is a must-eat for any food lover.”

30. Lifesaver

This term refers to something that is extremely helpful or necessary in a critical or emergency situation.

For example, “A first aid kit can be a lifesaver in case of an accident.”
In a discussion about technology, someone might say, “Having a backup generator during a power outage is a lifesaver.”
A traveler might say, “A portable charger for electronic devices is a lifesaver when you’re on the go.”

31. Obligatory

This term is used to describe something that is necessary or mandatory. It indicates that a particular action or item is expected or demanded.

For example, in a forum post, a user might write, “Obligatory cat picture.”
In response to a common question, someone might reply, “Obligatory ‘not a doctor, but…'”
A social media user might comment on a trending topic with, “Obligatory ‘I told you so.'”

32. Essentiality

This word refers to the quality or state of being essential, meaning it is absolutely necessary or indispensable.

For instance, a person might say, “Sleep is an essentiality for good health.”
In a discussion about survival skills, someone might argue, “Water is of utmost essentiality in emergency situations.”
A writer might emphasize the essentiality of a particular ingredient in a recipe, saying, “Butter is the essentiality that gives this dish its rich flavor.”