essence
13 synonyms and 1 antonym for essence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The most basic, defining quality of something — what makes it what it truly is.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use essence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the essence of something
vanilla essence
in essence
capture the essence
Etymology
From Latin essentia, "being" or "the state of existing," built from esse, "to be" — coined to translate an ancient Greek philosophical term for the true nature of a thing.
Full origin of essence →Frequently asked questions
What does “essence” mean?
The word “essence” means the most basic, defining quality of something — what makes it what it truly is. In plain terms, the core, fundamental nature of something, or a concentrated extract used for flavor or scent.
How do you pronounce “essence”?
“Essence” is pronounced EH-suhns (/ˈɛsəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “essence” in a sentence?
Here is “essence” used in a sentence: “Kindness is the essence of her character.”
What is another word for “essence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “essence” include whatness, crux, bouquet, nature, ousia and quiddity.
What part of speech is “essence”?
“Essence” is a noun.
Where does the word “essence” come from?
The word “essence” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin essentia, "being" or "the state of existing," built from esse, "to be" — coined to translate an ancient Greek philosophical term for the true nature of a thing.
Is “essence” a common word?
“Essence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “essence” have?
“Essence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the most basic, defining quality of something — what makes it what it truly is.
What is the difference between essence and extract in cooking?
Both are concentrated flavorings, but "extract" usually denotes flavor drawn from the real ingredient — vanilla extract is made by steeping vanilla beans in alcohol — while "essence" is often a more concentrated or synthetic imitation flavoring. Usage varies by country, and in British kitchens "essence" has traditionally covered both. Reading the label is the only sure test.
What is an essence in philosophy?
In philosophy, a thing's essence is the set of properties that make it what it fundamentally is — the properties it could not lose without ceasing to be that thing. Essence is traditionally contrasted with "accidents," the properties something merely happens to have. The distinction has been central to Western philosophy since ancient Greece.
