must-haven.adj.
/ˈmʌsthav/, U.S. /ˈməstˈhæv/ A. n.
Something which is widely regarded or advertised as being essential or highly desirable to possess.
ΚΠ
1839 U.S. Mag. & Democratic Rev. Aug. 131 I trust..there is not one among you who will not class a practical knowledge of domestic economy among the must haves of American females.
1842 C. M. Kirkland Forest Life II. xxxix. 110 Some difficulties have attended the transportation of our movables, and I find, too, that my estimate of the ‘must-haves’ was rather limited.
1910 Daily Chron. 2 Feb. 7/4 The list of ‘must-haves’ becomes a long one..; the middle-class bride needs hats, coats, day dresses, [etc.].
1946 Sun (Baltimore) 5 Nov. 7/5 (advt.) A ‘must have’ in slippers. So comfortable..so easy to step into.
1999 Your Garden June 37/2 A millennium must-have for collectors.
B. adj. (attributive).
That is an essential acquisition; highly desirable to possess.
ΚΠ
1989 Psychol. Today Sept. 63/1 Many of the relatively new must-have toys for collecting kids are based on TV-cartoon characters.
1995 Hair Apr. 28/1 Be sure to flirt with colour this season, it really is the must-have hair accessory.
2000 Times 11 Jan. 33/1 Cinema therapy is the new, hot, must-have experience.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1839