essay
gb/ˈɛsˌeɪ/ us/ˈɛsˌeɪ/
B1
English
~ 5500
esszé, fogalmazás, megkísérel, megpróbál, próbálkozik, próbálkozás, kísérlet
NOUN
B1
1
esszé
B2
fogalmazás
A2
Usage pattern:
to write [an essay] on/about [a topic]
Students must write a 1,000-word essay on climate change.
A diákoknak egy 1000 szavas esszét kell írniuk a klímaváltozásról.
She published a powerful essay about growing up bilingual.
Erőteljes esszét publikált arról, milyen kétnyelvűként felnőni.
For homework, we have to finish an essay comparing two short stories.
The magazine’s lead essay argues for major healthcare reform.
He won first prize in the national history essay competition.
Learner examples
I have to write an English essay tonight.
Ma este angol esszét kell írnom.
My teacher gave us an essay about our families.
A tanárom fogalmazást adott fel nekünk a családunkról.
Her essay about music was very interesting.
This essay is about why I like reading.
We will hand in our essays on Friday.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "essay" with "article" or "story". An essay is usually non-fiction and gives reasons, opinions, or arguments. A story is usually fiction with characters and events. An article is often written for news or information and may be less personal than an essay.
Meaning
short piece of argumentative writing
Collocations
write an essay
|essay question
|essay topic
|essay writing
|essay competition
|photo essay
Synonyms
composition (Very common in school contexts, especially for younger learners; slightly more old-fashioned in general use than "essay".)
|
article (Often used for pieces in newspapers or online; may be less personal or argumentative than an essay.)
Themes
education
|writing
|media
|communication
Definition
A short piece of writing about one topic, often for school or in a magazine, where the writer gives ideas, reasons, or opinions.
A short piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one giving the writer’s ideas or arguments, often written by students or published in magazines or online.
VERB
C2
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
to essay [to do something] / to essay [something]
He nervously essayed a smile, hoping to hide his disappointment.
Idegesen megpróbált mosolyogni, abban reménykedve, hogy elrejtheti csalódottságát.
The young director first essayed comedy before turning to serious drama.
A fiatal rendező először a vígjátékkal próbálkozott, mielőtt a komoly drámák felé fordult.
She essayed to speak, but emotion caught in her throat.
The novel essays a fresh approach to the detective genre.
Few writers have essayed such an ambitious project on their first book.
Learner examples
The writer essayed a new style in his latest book.
Az író legújabb könyvében új stílussal próbálkozott.
He essayed to answer, but he was very shy.
Megkísérelt válaszolni, de nagyon félénk volt.
She essayed a smile when she saw the camera.
The company essayed a small change before the big one.
The artist essayed a different kind of painting.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this verb is common because it looks like the noun "essay". In modern English, this verb is rare and literary. In everyday speech and writing, use "try" or "attempt" instead of "essay" as a verb.
Meaning
to try to do something difficult
Collocations
essay to do
|essay a smile
|essay a reply
|essay a comeback
Synonyms
attempt (The standard and much more common verb in everyday English for trying to do something.)
|
venture (Adds a sense of risk or boldness when attempting something new or dangerous.)
Antonyms
avoid (To deliberately stay away from doing something, which contrasts with choosing to attempt it.)
Themes
effort
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To try to do something that may be hard or new, usually in a careful way; used mostly in books and formal writing, not in everyday speech.
To try to do something, especially something difficult or new, often in a careful or tentative way; used mainly in literary or formal style.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
3
próbálkozás
B1
kísérlet
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]’s first/early essay in [a field]
The policy was his first essay in national politics.
Ez a politikai lépés volt az első próbálkozása az országos politikában.
This early essay in diplomacy revealed her natural talent for negotiation.
Ez a korai diplomáciai próbálkozás megmutatta természetes tárgyalói tehetségét.
The experiment, though crude, was an important essay in modern chemistry.
Her initial essay in novel-writing met with modest success.
Learner examples
This book was his first essay in history writing.
Ez a könyv volt az első próbálkozása a történetírás területén.
The plan was only an essay in new methods.
A terv csupán új módszerekkel való próbálkozás volt.
Their essay in cooperation did not last long.
Her essay in teaching children was difficult.
Common mistake:
Learners may meet this sense in older literature and think it is common today. In modern English, use "attempt" or "try" instead of this noun meaning of "essay".
Meaning
attempt or trial at something
Collocations
first essay
|early essay
|essay in diplomacy
|essay in politics
Synonyms
attempt (The normal modern word; neutral and widely used, unlike this archaic sense of "essay".)
Antonyms
refusal (Shows the opposite of making an attempt, by choosing not to try.)
Themes
effort
|history
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An attempt or first try to do something, used mostly in old books or very formal writing.
An attempt or first try at doing something, especially something new; now used mainly in older or very formal writing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
essay
IPA
GB/ˈɛsˌeɪ/
US/ˈɛsˌeɪ/
Syllables & stress
es - say (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (es)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: essay
- Plural: essays
Verb
- Base: essay
- 3rd Person Singular: essays
- Present Participle: essaying
- Past: essayed
Word family
Forms
essays
noun
essaying
verb
essayed
verb
Related words
Expressions
essay exam
1/ˈɛsˌeɪ ɪɡzˈæm/
fixed phrase
exam requiring essay-style answers
A test where students must write longer answers in sentences and paragraphs, not just short or multiple-choice answers.
Examples
- The midterm will be an essay exam, so practice writing clear paragraphs.
- Some students prefer essay exams because they can explain their thinking.
- The history course ends with a three-hour essay exam.
essay mill
1/ˈɛsˌeɪ mˈɪl/
fixed phrase
informal
company that sells essays to students
A company that students pay to write their school essays for them, which is usually against school rules.
Examples
- Universities are trying to ban essay mills to fight cheating.
- The report showed that many students had bought papers from essay mills.
- Some countries have made essay mills illegal to protect academic honesty.
essay prompt
1/ˈɛsˌeɪ pɹˈɑmpt/
fixed phrase
instruction for what to write about
A sentence or question from a teacher or test that tells you what your essay should talk about.
Examples
- The essay prompt asked us to describe a time we faced a challenge.
- Read the essay prompt carefully before you start writing.
- The exam includes three essay prompts, and you choose one to answer.
essay question
1/ˈɛsˌeɪ kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
exam question needing a written answer
A test or exam question where the student must write a short piece of writing, not just choose A, B, C, or D.
Examples
- The final will include multiple-choice items and one long essay question.
- The teacher gave us three essay questions, and we had to answer two.
- Essay questions test how well you can explain your ideas in writing.
essay writing
1/ˈɛsˌeɪ ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
the skill of writing essays
The activity and skill of planning and writing essays, especially for school or exams.
Examples
- Good essay writing requires clear structure and strong arguments.
- The course includes a unit on academic essay writing.
- She offers online classes in essay writing for international students.
photo essay
1/fˈoʊtoʊ ˈɛsˌeɪ/
fixed phrase
story or report told with photos
A group of photos that are shown together to tell a story or explain an idea, often with short texts or captions.
Examples
- The magazine ran a powerful photo essay on life in the refugee camp.
- For her project, she created a photo essay about street art in her city.
- The website published a photo essay documenting the wildfire’s impact.