SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
essence
noun
The central or defining quality of something.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Defining core
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topGist is a central meaning; essence can be the quality without which something would not be itself.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See essence in use
Her final sentence captured the essence of the entire argument.
The essence of Maia's account was the contestants' willingness to revise their work after receiving specific, useful criticism.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license