essence
gb/ˈɛsəns/ us/ˈɛsəns/
B2
English
~ 7900
lényeg, aroma, kivonat, parfüm, illatesszencia
NOUN
B2
1
lényeg
B1
Usage pattern:
the essence of [something]
Freedom of choice is the very essence of democracy.
A választás szabadsága a demokrácia lényege.
The essence of her charm is her honesty and warmth.
A bájának lényege az őszintesége és a melegsége.
They tried to capture the essence of the city in the film.
At its essence, the conflict is about power and control.
Some people think the essence of happiness is feeling useful.
Learner examples
The essence of love is care and respect.
A szeretet lényege a törődés és a tisztelet.
The essence of this game is to work as a team.
Ennek a játéknak az a lényege, hogy csapatként dolgozzunk együtt.
Good communication is the essence of a strong relationship.
The essence of the problem is lack of time.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "essence" with "essential." "Essence" is a noun (the basic nature), while "essential" is usually an adjective (very important or necessary). For example, say "the essence of the story" (not *"the essential of the story").
Meaning
fundamental nature or defining quality
Collocations
the essence of life
|the very essence of
|capture the essence
|distill the essence
|go to the essence
|the true essence
Synonyms
core (Stresses the central or most important part, often slightly more informal.)
|
nature (Focuses on the basic character of something, less formal and abstract than "essence".)
|
heart (Figurative and informal; highlights the emotional or central part rather than a philosophical quality.)
Antonyms
surface (Suggests only the outward appearance, not the deep or true nature.)
|
detail (Refers to smaller, less important parts rather than the defining quality.)
Themes
philosophy
|general
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The basic nature or special quality that makes something what it is.
The fundamental nature or defining quality that makes something what it is.
NOUN
B2
2
lényeg
B1
Usage pattern:
the essence of [something] is [clause/noun]
The essence of his argument is that we need more data.
Az érvelésének az a lényege, hogy több adatra van szükségünk.
Can you give me the essence of the report in two minutes?
Össze tudnád foglalni két percben a jelentés lényegét?
You understood the essence of the lecture, even if you missed some details.
In essence, their proposal is to cut costs without firing staff.
The essence of her message was that change is coming.
Learner examples
The essence of the story is that hard work brings success.
A történet lényege az, hogy a kemény munka meghozza a sikert.
Please tell me the essence of the movie in one sentence.
Kérlek, mondd el egy mondatban a film lényegét.
The essence of his email was that he will arrive late.
I did not understand every word, but I got the essence.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"the essence is" without mentioning what they are talking about. It is more natural to say "The essence of his idea is..." or to use "in essence" as a fixed phrase: "In essence, he disagrees."
Meaning
main or basic point
Collocations
the essence of his argument
|grasp the essence
|miss the essence
|sum up the essence
|boil down to the essence
Synonyms
gist (Informal; focuses on the general idea rather than a precise core.)
|
crux (More formal; stresses the most difficult or critical point to understand or solve.)
|
main point (Very clear and informal; less abstract and shorter than "essence.")
Antonyms
side issue (Refers to a less important or secondary matter, not the main point.)
|
detail (A small part rather than the central idea.)
Themes
communication
|thinking
|education
Definition
The main and most basic point of an idea, plan, or message.
The most important or basic part of what someone is saying, planning, or explaining.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[flavor] essence
Add a few drops of vanilla essence to the cake batter.
Adj pár csepp vaníliaaromát a süteménytésztához.
The recipe calls for almond essence instead of fresh almonds.
A recept friss mandula helyett mandulaaromát ír elő.
She uses peppermint essence to give the chocolate a fresh taste.
This drink is made with natural lemon essence.
The lab tested the purity of the plant essence.
Learner examples
I bought vanilla essence for the cookies.
Vaníliaaromát vettem a kekszhez.
Put one spoon of lemon essence in the tea.
Tegyél egy kanálnyi citromaromát a teába.
This candy has a strong mint essence.
The chef uses orange essence in many desserts.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "essence" with "oil" (for example, "vanilla oil"). In cooking, both "vanilla essence" and "vanilla extract" are common; "essence" is often more common in British English.
Meaning
concentrated liquid extract
Collocations
vanilla essence
|almond essence
|lemon essence
|peppermint essence
|a few drops of essence
|add essence to [something]
Synonyms
extract (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in some varieties of English, especially for flavoring.)
|
concentrate (Stresses that the liquid is very strong; often used for juices and chemicals as well.)
Antonyms
dilution (A weaker liquid made by adding water, the opposite of a concentrated essence.)
Themes
food
|science
|daily_life
|food_drink
Definition
A strong liquid made from something, often used to give food or drink a strong taste or smell.
A concentrated liquid extract taken from a plant or substance, used especially to add flavor or smell.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
4
parfüm
A2
Usage pattern:
wear [essence]
She dabbed a rare jasmine essence on her wrists.
Egy ritka jázminesszenciát pöttyintett a csuklójára.
The shop sells expensive French essences and oils.
Az üzlet drága francia illatesszenciákat és olajokat árul.
A light rose essence filled the room as she entered.
Learner examples
She wears a soft flower essence every day.
Mindennap lágy virágillatú parfümöt visel.
The air had a sweet essence after she sprayed it.
Édes illat terjengett a levegőben, miután befújta.
He bought her a small bottle of jasmine essence.
Common mistake:
This use is less common in modern everyday English. Learners are safer using "perfume" or "fragrance" unless they see "essence" used this way in a text.
Meaning
perfume or fragrant substance
Collocations
a delicate essence
|French essences
|flower essences
|wear an essence
|sweet essence
Synonyms
perfume (More common and general; "essence" sounds more formal or literary.)
|
fragrance (Slightly formal; emphasizes the pleasant smell rather than the liquid itself.)
Antonyms
stench (A very bad or strong smell, opposite of a pleasant-smelling essence.)
Themes
fashion
|daily_life
Definition
A nice-smelling liquid, like perfume, that a person puts on their body.
A fragrant substance, especially a refined perfume worn on the body.
Grammar
Dictionary form
essence
IPA
GB/ˈɛsəns/
US/ˈɛsəns/
Syllables & stress
es - sence (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (es)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: essence
- Plural: essence, essences
Word family
Forms
essences
noun
Core family
essential
adjective B1
essentially
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
nonessential
adjective
inessential
adjective
Advanced or less common
quintessential
adjective
quintessentially
adverb
essentialism
noun
Expressions
capture the essence of
1/kˈæpt͡ʃɚ ðə ˈɛsəns əv/
fixed phrase
represent the core quality well
To show or describe the most important quality of something in a clear and correct way.
Examples
- The painting really captures the essence of the village.
- Her speech captured the essence of our struggle.
in essence
1/ˈɪn ˈɛsəns/
fixed phrase
basically; in a general way
Used before you give the main and simple idea of something, without all the details.
Examples
- In essence, the plan is to cut costs without losing staff.
- The two proposals are, in essence, the same.
- In essence, what she is saying is that we need to start again.
the essence of
1/ðə ˈɛsəns əv/
fixed phrase
most important quality of something
Used to say what the most important or special quality of something is.
Examples
- Trust is the essence of a happy marriage.
- Change is the essence of life.
- Speed is the essence of this game.
the very essence of
1/ðə vˈɛɹi ˈɛsəns əv/
fixed phrase
perfect example of a quality
Used to say very strongly that something is a perfect or clear example of a quality.
Examples
- Her calmness under pressure is the very essence of professionalism.
- Children’s laughter is the very essence of joy.