essence
noun
es·sence ˈe-sᵊn(t)s 
1
a
: the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being
b
: the individual, real, or ultimate nature of a thing especially as opposed to its existence
a painting that captures the essence of the land
c
: the properties or attributes by means of which something can be placed in its proper class or identified as being what it is
2
: the most significant element, quality, or aspect of a thing or person
the essence of the issue
3
: one that possesses or exhibits a quality in abundance as if in concentrated form
she was the essence of punctuality
4
a(1)
: a constituent or derivative possessing the special qualities (as of a plant or drug) in concentrated form
also : a preparation of such an essence or a synthetic substitute
(2)
: a volatile substance or constituent (as of perfume)
b
: odor, perfume
5
: something that exists : entity
Synonyms
- being
- essentiality
- nature
- quiddity
- quintessence
- soul
- stuff
- substance
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The perennial debate about nature and nurture—which is the more potent shaper of the human essence?—is perennially rekindled. 
Matt Ridley, Time, 2 June 2003 In essence, the positivists were the first sociologists, rejecting both superstition and metaphysics and studying behavior as a natural phenomenon that could be perfected. Stephan Talty, Mulatto America, 2003 I had come to Orange Cove on a statewide tour, looking for the essence of Latino life in a changing California and a good bowl of the Mexican stew … Joe Rodriguez, San Jose Mercury News, 20 May 2003 The essence of love is unselfishness. The book's illustrations capture the essence of the story.
Matt Ridley, Time, 2 June 2003 In essence, the positivists were the first sociologists, rejecting both superstition and metaphysics and studying behavior as a natural phenomenon that could be perfected. Stephan Talty, Mulatto America, 2003 I had come to Orange Cove on a statewide tour, looking for the essence of Latino life in a changing California and a good bowl of the Mexican stew … Joe Rodriguez, San Jose Mercury News, 20 May 2003 The essence of love is unselfishness. The book's illustrations capture the essence of the story. Recent Examples on the Web In essence, permitting reform means streamlining the process by which new energy infrastructure—clean or otherwise—gets approved at the federal level. Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 In essence, screenwriter Micah Bloomberg has ushered the audience into his lair, placed us atop a pile of lush rugs, and now pulls them out from under us one after the other. Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022 In essence, a pitcher will have 15 seconds between pitches with the bases empty and 20 seconds with a runner on. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2022 Quaka said Patterson, on his Facebook page, posted what was in essence a goodbye message at about 9:30 a.m. Emily Wagster Pettus, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2022 So, in essence, once the Heat became aware that Haslem was returning, there was no room for an additional player after the Martin, Oladipo and Dedmon agreements. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 In essence, the unique identity is constantly being tracked to look for anomalies in their online behavior. Ari Jacoby, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Constant flooding of the first floors on Stolp Avenue and other parts of downtown forced the city to, in essence, raise the island and shoreline downtown, making what would have been the second floors of buildings the new ground floors. Steve Lord, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Wash Day Diaries, in essence, is a love letter to Black women, their hair and their joy, and the beautiful healing powers and resilience of Black sisterhood. Safire R. Sostre, Essence, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 In essence, screenwriter Micah Bloomberg has ushered the audience into his lair, placed us atop a pile of lush rugs, and now pulls them out from under us one after the other. Amy Nicholson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2022 In essence, a pitcher will have 15 seconds between pitches with the bases empty and 20 seconds with a runner on. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2022 Quaka said Patterson, on his Facebook page, posted what was in essence a goodbye message at about 9:30 a.m. Emily Wagster Pettus, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2022 So, in essence, once the Heat became aware that Haslem was returning, there was no room for an additional player after the Martin, Oladipo and Dedmon agreements. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 In essence, the unique identity is constantly being tracked to look for anomalies in their online behavior. Ari Jacoby, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Constant flooding of the first floors on Stolp Avenue and other parts of downtown forced the city to, in essence, raise the island and shoreline downtown, making what would have been the second floors of buildings the new ground floors. Steve Lord, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Wash Day Diaries, in essence, is a love letter to Black women, their hair and their joy, and the beautiful healing powers and resilience of Black sisterhood. Safire R. Sostre, Essence, 25 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English essencia, from Latin essentia, from esse to be — more at is
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing essence
Kids Definition
essence
noun
es·sence ˈe-sᵊns
1
: the basic part of something
Freedom is the essence of democracy.
2
: a substance made from a plant or drug and having its special qualities
3
: perfume entry 1 sense 1
Medical Definition
essence
noun
es·sence ˈes-ᵊn(t)s
1
: a substance considered to possess in high degree the predominant qualities of a natural product (as a plant or drug) from which it is extracted (as by distillation or infusion)
2
a
: essential oil
b
: an alcoholic solution especially of an essential oil
essence of peppermint
c
: an artificial preparation (as an alcoholic solution of one or more esters) used especially in flavoring
d
: elixir
Legal Definition
essence
noun
es·sence ˈes-ᵊns
1
: the real or ultimate nature of a thing : the properties that make a thing what it is
his award is legitimate only so long as it draws its essence from the collective bargaining agreement United Steel Workers v. Enterprise Wheel and Car Corp., 363 U.S. 593 (1960)
see also essence test United Steel Workers v. Enterprise Wheel and Car Corp., 363 U.S. 593 (1960)2
: the predominant purpose of a thing
the essence of the contract
essence
noun
1
as in nature
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is the belief that power ultimately rests with the people is the very essence of democracy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- nature
- substance
- soul
- quintessence
- manifestation
- essentiality
- being
- core
- heart
- aspect
- quiddity
- spirit
- stuff
- attribute
- name of the game
- property
- center
- incarnation
- feature
- personification
- kernel
- pith
- marrow
- gist
- epitome
- embodiment
- keynote
- seat
- alpha and omega
- nub
2
as in core
the central part or aspect of something under consideration presented the essence of weeks of testimony in a 20-minute appeal to the jury Synonyms & Similar Words
- core
- heart
- root
- kernel
- point
- gist
- sum
- crux
- nucleus
- bottom line
- meat
- centerpiece
- pith
- subject
- nub
- theme
- substance
- net
- sum and substance
- pivot
- the long and short
- tenor
- the long and the short
- course
- keynote
- content
- bull's-eye
- direction
- body
- proposition
- nubbin
- drift
- thesis
- meat and potatoes
- hypothesis
- purport