Essential vs. Desirable — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 27, 2024
Essential refers to items or qualities absolutely necessary, whereas desirable indicates those that are preferred but not mandatory.
Difference Between Essential and Desirable
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Essential items or qualities are fundamentally required and often crucial for a system or situation to function properly, whereas desirable items or qualities enhance or improve circumstances but are not critical for basic operations.
In terms of needs, essentials are those that one cannot do without for survival or to meet minimum standards, such as basic food and shelter; on the other hand, desirable attributes might include things like gourmet food and luxurious living conditions which are sought after for pleasure rather than necessity.
When planning projects or strategies, essential elements are those that must be included to achieve core objectives, whereas desirable elements are considered beneficial add-ons that can potentially increase the value or effectiveness but are not necessary for the project’s success.
In job descriptions, essential qualifications are requirements that candidates must meet to be considered for a position, while desirable qualifications, although beneficial, are not strictly required and might include additional skills or experience that could differentiate one candidate from another.
In consumer products, essential features are those that fulfill the basic functions of the product, whereas desirable features may include additional enhancements or advanced technology that improves user experience but is not indispensable.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Absolutely necessary; indispensable.
Preferred or wished for but optional.
Role in functionality
Critical for basic operation.
Enhances functionality.
Impact on decisions
Dictates mandatory conditions.
Influences preferences and choices.
Examples in life needs
Food, water, shelter.
High-speed internet, stylish clothes.
Employment criteria
Minimum requirements for a job.
Additional qualifications or skills.
Compare with Definitions
Essential
Required or absolutely necessary.
Water is essential for human survival.
Desirable
Worth having or seeking, as by being useful, advantageous, or pleasing.
Fluent communication skills are desirable in a customer service job.
Essential
Constituting the intrinsic nature of something.
Trust is essential in a successful partnership.
Desirable
Advisable or preferable.
It's desirable to arrive early at the theater to get good seats.
Essential
Absolutely indispensable.
It's essential to have some savings for emergency situations.
Desirable
Offering potential positive outcomes.
Choosing a job with a shorter commute is highly desirable.
Essential
Constituting or being part of the nature or essence of something; inherent
"In that era of general good will ... few Americans doubted the essential goodness of their society" (David Halberstam).
Desirable
Wished for as being attractive, useful, or necessary.
A beachfront view is desirable in a vacation home.
Essential
Fundamentally important or necessary
Essential ingredients.
Desirable
Wished for as being an attractive, useful, or necessary course of action
It is desirable to check that nothing has been forgotten
Essential
(Medicine) Of, relating to, or being a condition or a disease whose cause is unknown
Essential hypertension.
Desirable
A desirable person or thing
The store sells various desirables
Essential
(Biochemistry) Being a substance that is required for normal functioning but cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be included in the diet
Essential amino acids.
Desirable
Worth having or seeking, as by being useful, advantageous, or pleasing
A desirable job in the film industry.
A home computer with many desirable features.
Essential
Something fundamental.
Desirable
Worth doing or achieving; advisable
A desirable reform.
A desirable outcome.
Essential
Something necessary or indispensable.
Desirable
Arousing desire, especially sexual desire.
Essential
Necessary.
Desirable
A desirable person or thing.
Essential
Very important; of high importance.
Desirable
Worthy to be desired; pleasing; agreeable.
This applicant has almost all desirable properties.
Essential
(biology) Necessary for survival but not synthesized by the organism, thus needing to be ingested.
Desirable
A thing that people want; something that is desirable.
There are plenty of desirables on display in the window.
Essential
Being in the basic form; showing its essence.
Don’t mind him being grumpy. That’s the essential Fred.
Desirable
Worthy of desire or longing; fitted to excite desire or a wish to possess; pleasing; agreeable.
All of them desirable young men.
As things desirable exciteDesire, and objects move the appetite.
Essential
Really existing; existent.
Desirable
Worth having or seeking or achieving;
A desirable job
Computer with many desirable features
A desirable outcome
Essential
(geometry) Such that each complementary region is irreducible, the boundary of each complementary region is incompressible by disks and monogons in the complementary region, and no leaf is a sphere or a torus bounding a solid torus in the manifold.
Difference between 1 and 2
Desirable
Worthy of being chosen especially as a spouse;
The parents found the girl suitable for their son
Essential
(medicine) Idiopathic.
Essential blepharospasm
Desirable
Attractive or pleasing.
His polite manner made him a desirable guest.
Essential
Having the nature of essence; not physical.
Essential
A necessary ingredient.
Essential
A fundamental ingredient.
Essential
Belonging to the essence, or that which makes an object, or class of objects, what it is.
Majestic as the voice sometimes became, there was forever in it an essential character of plaintiveness.
Essential
Hence, really existing; existent.
Is it true, that thou art but a name,And no essential thing?
Essential
Important in the highest degree; indispensable to the attainment of an object; indispensably necessary.
Judgment's more essential to a generalThan courage.
How to live? - that is the essential question for us.
Essential
Containing the essence or characteristic portion of a substance, as of a plant; highly rectified; pure; hence, unmixed; as, an essential oil.
Essential
Necessary; indispensable; - said of those tones which constitute a chord, in distinction from ornamental or passing tones.
Essential
Idiopathic; independent of other diseases.
Essential
Existence; being.
Essential
That which is essential; first or constituent principle; as, the essentials of religion.
Essential
Anything indispensable;
Food and shelter are necessities of life
The essentials of the good life
Allow farmers to buy their requirements under favorable conditions
A place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be obtained
Essential
Absolutely necessary; vitally necessary;
Essential tools and materials
Funds essential to the completion of the project
An indispensable worker
Essential
Basic and fundamental;
The essential feature
Essential
Of the greatest importance;
The all-important subject of disarmament
Crucial information
In chess cool nerves are of the essence
Essential
Being or relating to or containing the essence of a plant etc;
Essential oil
Essential
Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right;
Substantive law
Essential
Absolutely required and not to be used up or sacrificed
Essential
Fundamental or basic.
Understanding basic math is essential for advanced studies.
Essential
Being a prerequisite.
A passport is essential for international travel.
Common Curiosities
Can something be both essential and desirable?
Yes, some attributes or items can be both essential and desirable if they are necessary and also provide additional benefits or satisfaction.
Why are some qualifications listed as desirable instead of essential in job postings?
Qualifications are listed as desirable to indicate they could benefit the role but are not critical for performing the fundamental duties of the position.
What impact does labeling something as desirable have on consumer behavior?
Labeling features or products as desirable can make them more attractive to consumers, potentially influencing their purchasing decisions by appealing to their preferences or aspirations.
What does essential mean in everyday language?
In everyday language, "essential" means something absolutely necessary or extremely important in a particular situation or for a particular process.
What are some examples of essential needs in human life?
Essential needs include water, food, shelter, and healthcare, which are necessary for survival and basic health.
Is affordability considered essential or desirable when purchasing a product?
Affordability can be considered essential when budget constraints are tight, making cost a critical factor, whereas in situations with more flexibility, it may be seen as desirable.
How do businesses determine what is essential or desirable in a product?
Businesses determine essentials by identifying the core functionalities needed for the product to operate effectively, and desirables by assessing additional features that could enhance the product’s appeal or performance.
How can an employer decide between essential and desirable skills when hiring?
Employers typically base essential skills on the minimum requirements needed to perform the job effectively, while desirable skills are additional qualifications that could improve performance or integration into the team.
What makes a feature of a product essential?
A feature of a product is essential if it is necessary for the product to function properly or to fulfill its intended purpose.
How do essential and desirable criteria affect educational program admissions?
In educational admissions, essential criteria might include specific academic qualifications needed to enroll, while desirable criteria could include extracurricular achievements that enhance a candidate's profile.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
