noun
essence
EH-suhns
noun
1
The most basic, defining quality of something — what makes it what it truly is.
"Kindness is the essence of her character."
"The negotiators finally agreed on the essence of the deal, even if details remained."
2
A concentrated liquid extracted from a plant, used for flavoring or fragrance.
"The recipe called for a few drops of vanilla essence."
How to Use Essence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe core, fundamental nature of something, or a concentrated extract used for flavor or scent.
Common pairings
the essence of something
vanilla essence
in essence
capture the essence
Word Forms
essences plural
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Etymology
From Latin essentia, "being" or "the state of existing," built from esse, "to be" — coined to translate an ancient Greek philosophical term for the true nature of a thing.