name
Common
Essex
EHS-ihks
Essex (name) means a county in eastern England, on the North Sea coast northeast of London. Example: “They grew up in a small village in Essex.”
name
1
A county in eastern England, on the North Sea coast northeast of London.
"They grew up in a small village in Essex."
How to use Essex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn English county near London, historically the home of the East Saxons.
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They grew up in a small village in _____.
Etymology
From Old English Ēastseaxan, "East Saxons" — the historical kingdom of the Saxon settlers who lived east of Wessex and Sussex.
Rhymes for Essex
See all rhymes for Essex →Frequently asked questions
What does “Essex” mean?
The word “Essex” means a county in eastern England, on the North Sea coast northeast of London. In plain terms, an English county near London, historically the home of the East Saxons.
How do you pronounce “Essex”?
“Essex” is pronounced EHS-ihks (/ˈɛs.ɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “Essex” in a sentence?
Here is “Essex” used in a sentence: “They grew up in a small village in Essex.”
What part of speech is “Essex”?
“Essex” is a name.
Where does the word “Essex” come from?
The word “Essex” comes from Old English. From Old English Ēastseaxan, "East Saxons" — the historical kingdom of the Saxon settlers who lived east of Wessex and Sussex.
Is “Essex” a common word?
“Essex” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between Essex and Sussex?
Both are English counties whose names come from Anglo-Saxon kingdoms: Essex means "East Saxons" and lies northeast of London on the North Sea coast, while Sussex means "South Saxons" and lies on the south coast. They are in entirely different parts of England.
Is Essex part of London?
No, Essex is a separate county in eastern England, northeast of London. Some of its southwestern edge falls within the London commuter belt, and a few areas that were historically in Essex are now part of Greater London, but the county itself is distinct from the city.
Is Essex a city or a county?
Essex is a county in eastern England, not a city. Its county town is Chelmsford, and larger towns include Colchester, but "Essex" refers to the wider county rather than any single place.
Which counties border Essex?
Essex borders Suffolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the northwest, and Hertfordshire to the west, with Greater London to its southwest. To the south it faces Kent across the Thames estuary.
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