essay

[ noun es-ey es-ey, e-sey verb e-sey ]

noun

1. a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.
2. anything resembling such a composition:

   a picture essay.

3. an effort to perform or accomplish something; attempt.
4. Philately. a design for a proposed stamp differing in any way from the design of the stamp as issued.
5. Obsolete. a tentative effort; trial; assay.

verb (used with object)

1. to try; attempt.
2. to put to the test; make trial of.

essay

noun

1. a short literary composition dealing with a subject analytically or speculatively
2. an attempt or endeavour; effort
3. a test or trial

verb

1. to attempt or endeavour; try
2. to test or try out

essay

1. A short piece of writing on one subject, usually presenting the author's own views. Michel de Montaigne , Francis Bacon (see also Bacon ), and Ralph Waldo Emerson are celebrated for their essays.

Other Words From

• es·sayer noun
• prees·say verb (used without object)
• unes·sayed adjective
• well-es·sayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of essay¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French essayer, from Late Latin exagium “a weighing,” from exag(ere) (unrecorded) “to examine, test,” literally, “to drive out, thrust out” (from Latin exigere; exact ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of essay¹

C15: from Old French essaier to attempt, from essai an attempt, from Late Latin exagium a weighing, from Latin agere to do, compel, influenced by exigere to investigate

Example Sentences

In a 2021 essay, she cited Trump’s “intensive efforts to chip away at the apolitical nature of the American military” as a means of using the armed forces to help him try to stay in power after losing the 2020 election.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1968, Hardin wrote his essay “The Tragedy of the Commons,” which warned that population growth will outpace the gains of conservation as people overuse the planet’s resources.

From Salon

In fact, I’m writing this with my eyes closed just in case I veer into a Why We’re Doomed essay.

From Los Angeles Times

My favorite text regarding fascism is Umberto Eco's 1995 essay.

From Salon

In a comprehensive must-read new essay in Time Magazine, Eric Cortellessa describes the magnitude of Trump’s victory on Tuesday:

From Salon

Related Words

• article
• discussion
• dissertation
• manuscript
• paper
• piece
• study
• thesis
• treatise