essence
EH-suhns
Essence (noun) means the most basic, defining quality of something — what makes it what it truly is. Example: “Curiosity is the essence of good science, and it drives every discovery.”
noun
1
The most basic, defining quality of something — what makes it what it truly is.
"Curiosity is the essence of good science, and it drives every discovery."
"Kindness is the essence of her character."
"The negotiators finally agreed on the essence of the deal, even if details remained."
2
A concentrated liquid extracted from a plant, used for flavoring or fragrance.
"A little almond essence gives the biscuits a sweet, nutty smell."
"She dabbed lavender essence on her pillow to help her sleep."
"The recipe called for a few drops of vanilla essence."
How to use essence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe core, fundamental nature of something, or a concentrated extract used for flavor or scent.
Common pairings
the essence of something
vanilla essence
in essence
capture the essence
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Word forms
- Plural
- essences
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Curiosity is the _____ of good science, and it drives every discovery.
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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for essence
See all rhymes for 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.
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