"Indispensible" is a misspelling of "indispensable," (the "ible" should be "able") which means absolutely necessary, essential, or irreplaceable. It signifies that the thing or person is so crucial that it cannot be omitted or replaced without causing significant problems or difficulties.
For example, clean drinking water is an indispensable resource for humans to survive. Humans cannot survive long without water, so it is essential that they have access to this resource for survival, whether it is through food that contains water or a direct source of drinking water.
The word "indispensable" is not just used for survival. If a person is an indispensable employee of a company, that means that this person is important for the effective operation and productivity of the company. This person is irreplaceable, and if they were not present, the company would have trouble functioning. No other person can contribute to the company in the same way this person does.
Abstract concepts or ideas can also be indispensable. For instance, logical thinking is an indispensable part of mechanical engineering. Without it, it is difficult or even impossible to successfully engineer machinery. Problem-solving and creative thinking skills are other abstract skills that are essential to a mechanical engineer. These skills cannot be missing in action when planning, creating, and troubleshooting in this line of work.
Why is "indispensable" difficult to spell?
"Indispensable" can be difficult to spell because the "a" at the end is pronounced more like an "i" than an "a"; hence the misspelling "indispensible" was born. The second "i" in "indispensable" also sounds more like an "e" than an "i," so the word is also commonly misspelled as "indespensable" or "indespensible."
Common misspellings of "indispensable" include:
- Indispensible
- Indespensable
- Indespensible
- Indespendable
- Indispenable
- Indispensibile
Comparison of the use of "indispensable" versus "indispensible"
The correct spelling "indespensable" is undeniably the winner in terms of prominence in use over the misspelled "indispensible." Although the incorrect "indispensible" is a common misspelling, it typically does not make it to publication in formal writing, hence making "indispensable" the indispensable variant of the two. The earliest known use of the correct "indispensable" is in the mid-1500s according to the Oxford English Dictionary in a letter by Thomas Cranmer, an archbishop of Canterbury at the time.
Example sentences
- Effective communication skills are indispensable in the workplace.
- Libraries play an indispensable role in promoting literacy and knowledge.
- Safety equipment is indispensable for workers in hazardous environments.
- Good time management is indispensable for meeting project deadlines.
- The smartphone has become an indispensable tool for staying connected.
- In a modern kitchen, a sharp knife is indispensable for efficient cooking.
- Teamwork and collaboration are indispensable for achieving organizational goals.
- Proper planning is indispensable when embarking on a cross-country road trip.
- Medical professionals are often viewed as indispensable in times of crisis.
- The support of family and friends can be indispensable during challenging times.
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