essence

[ es-uhns ]

noun

1. the basic, real, and invariable nature of a thing or its significant individual feature or features:

   Freedom is the very essence of our democracy.

   Synonyms: core, soul, principle, heart, lifeblood, spirit, substance

2. a substance obtained from a plant, drug, or the like, by distillation, infusion, etc., and containing its characteristic properties in concentrated form.
3. an alcoholic solution of an essential oil; spirit.
4. a perfume; scent.
5. Philosophy. the inward nature, true substance, or constitution of anything, as opposed to what is accidental, phenomenal, illusory, etc.
6. something that exists, especially a spiritual or immaterial entity.

essence

/ ˈɛsəns /

noun

1. the characteristic or intrinsic feature of a thing, which determines its identity; fundamental nature
2. the most distinctive element of a thing

   the essence of a problem

3. a perfect or complete form of something, esp a person who typifies an abstract quality

   he was the essence of gentility

4. philosophy
   1. the unchanging and unchangeable nature of something which is necessary to its being the thing it is; its necessary properties Compare accident
   2. the properties in virtue of which something is called by its name
   3. the nature of something as distinct from, and logically prior to, its existence
5. theol an immaterial or spiritual entity
6. 1. the constituent of a plant, usually an oil, alkaloid, or glycoside, that determines its chemical or pharmacological properties
   2. an alcoholic solution of such a substance
7. a substance, usually a liquid, containing the properties of a plant or foodstuff in concentrated form

   vanilla essence

8. a rare word for perfume
9. in essence
   essentially; fundamentally
10. of the essence
    indispensable; vitally important

Other Words From

• self-essence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of essence¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English essencia, from Medieval Latin, from Latin essentia, equivalent to esse + -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of essence¹

C14: from Medieval Latin essentia, from Latin: the being (of something), from esse to be

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in essence, essentially; at bottom, often despite appearances:

   For all his bluster, he is in essence a shy person.

2. of the essence, absolutely essential; critical; crucial:

   In chess, cool nerves are of the essence.

Example Sentences

“And if Trump dismantles our democracy, as many fear will be the case, and the world’s greatest power, the U.S., becomes — in essence — a petrostate, it’s game over for climate action full stop for the foreseeable future, unless the rest of the world unites and takes bold action, including potentially the most punitive possible sanctions against the United States.”

From Salon

That’s how I felt throughout September, as folks waited for Taylor Swift to Instagram her endorsement; as we waited to see if Beyoncé was “in” and possibly performing at the Democratic National Convention; as Bruce Springsteen, our icon of American essence, showed up for Kamala Harris too.

From Slate

“And if Trump dismantles our democracy, as many fear will be the case, and the world’s greatest power, the U.S., becomes — in essence — a petrostate, it’s game over for climate action full stop for the foreseeable future, unless the rest of the world unites and takes bold action, including potentially the most punitive possible sanctions against the United States.”

From Salon

In “Snail,” a traumatized and lonely young Grace risks becoming a hoarding hermit until she bonds with the older Pinky, who is the essence of joie de vivre.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s the essence of music for me.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aspect
• basis
• bottom line
• character
• core
• crux
• element
• lifeblood
• meaning
• nature
• principle
• quality
• reality
• root
• soul
• spirit
• structure
• substance