est
6 synonyms for est, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Grace or favour shown to someone; goodwill.
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.
Etymology
From Old English ēst, "goodwill" or "favour," tracing back to a Germanic root shared with words like the Icelandic ást ("love") and German Gunst ("favour"). It survives only in historical and dialect use today.
Full origin of est →Frequently asked questions
What does “est” mean?
The word “est” means grace or favour shown to someone; goodwill. In plain terms, an old word for kindness or favour granted to someone.
How do you pronounce “est”?
“Est” is pronounced ehst (/ɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “est” in a sentence?
Here is “est” used in a sentence: “The old poem asks for the king's est upon the traveler.”
What part of speech is “est”?
“Est” is a noun.
Where does the word “est” come from?
The word “est” comes from Old English. From Old English ēst, "goodwill" or "favour," tracing back to a Germanic root shared with words like the Icelandic ást ("love") and German Gunst ("favour"). It survives only in historical and dialect use today.
Is “est” a common word?
“Est” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "est" and "goodwill"?
In the sense given here, "est" means grace or favour shown to someone, which overlaps closely with "goodwill." "Goodwill" is the far more common everyday word for a friendly, favourable attitude toward another person.
What is the difference between "est" and "grace"?
Both words can refer to favour kindly shown to someone. "Grace" is the widely used term for unearned kindness or favour, while "est" is a rare word expressing the same idea of goodwill.
When would you use "est" to mean favour?
"Est" is used in the sense of grace or favour shown to someone, expressing goodwill or kindness toward them. Because it is uncommon, most writers choose "favour," "grace," or "goodwill" instead in everyday English.
