key element
Core necessary part
A key element is a crucial or essential component of something larger—the part without which the whole wouldn't function properly or make sense: Trust is a key element of any successful relationship.
The phrase emphasizes importance among multiple parts: The prosecutor walked the jury through the key elements of the case.
- crucialOf supreme importance
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- coreCentral essential portion
- main ingredientChief culinary element
- cornerstoneFoundational building block
linchpin · crux · foundation · vital · pivotal · fundamental · ingredient · component · moving part · factor · nucleus · heart · backbone · keystone · central · critical · building block · missing piece
- requirementsrequirement, requirements, prerequisite, requisite, requisites
- keyskeychain, keyring, keyhole, keyway, keycard
- Centerscenter, core, hub, nucleus, middle
key elementminor detail
Insignificant specific element
afterthought · footnote · side issue · triviality · minor point
key elementnonessential
Not required or needed
accessory · add-on · embellishment · ornament · superfluity
key, element, keys, keyed, keying, keyless, elements, elemental, elementally