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

As several of my colleagues commented, the result is good enough that it could pass for an essay written by a first-year undergraduate, and even get a pretty decent grade.

From Nautilus

GPT-3 also raises concerns about the future of essay writing in the education system.

From Nautilus

This little essay helps focus on self-knowledge in what you’re best at, and how you should prioritize your time.

From Fortune

As Steven Feldstein argues in the opening essay, technonationalism plays a part in the strengthening of other autocracies too.

From MIT Technology Review

He’s written a collection of essays on civil engineering life titled Bridginess, and to this day he and Lauren go on “bridge dates,” where they enjoy a meal and admire the view of a nearby span.

From MIT Technology Review

I think a certain kind of compelling essay has a piece of that.

From The Daily Beast

The current attack on the Jews,” he wrote in a 1937 essay, “targets not just this people of 15 million but mankind as such.

From The Daily Beast

The impulse to interpret seems to me what makes personal essay writing compelling.

From The Daily Beast

To be honest, I think a lot of good essay writing comes out of that.

From The Daily Beast

Someone recently sent me an old Joan Didion essay on self-respect that appeared in Vogue.

From The Daily Beast

There is more of the uplifted forefinger and the reiterated point than I should have allowed myself in an essay.

From Project Gutenberg

Consequently he was able to turn in a clear essay upon the subject, which, upon examination, the king found to be free from error.

From Project Gutenberg

It is no part of the present essay to attempt to detail the particulars of a code of social legislation.

From Project Gutenberg

But angels and ministers of grace defend us from ministers of religion who essay art criticism!

From Project Gutenberg

It is fit that the imagination, which is free to go through all things, should essay such excursions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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