essayist
gb/ˈɛsˌeɪɪst/ us/ˈɛsˌeɪɪst/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
role
1
writer who publishes essays
a person who writes essays, often as a job
Usage pattern:
[adjective] essayist
Common mistake:
Do not use essayist for someone who only writes one essay once; it usually suggests regular or notable essay writing.
Synonyms
essay writer (More general and less formal; does not imply recognition.)
|
prose writer (Broader; can include many kinds of nonfiction writing beyond essays.)
|
nonfiction writer (Broader; includes memoir, journalism, and other nonfiction, not only essays.)
Collocations
acclaimed essayist
|noted essayist
|celebrated essayist
|contemporary essayist
|literary essayist
|political essayist
|feminist essayist
|French essayist
|essayist and critic
|essayist and novelist
Themes
writing
|literature
|media
|education
Examples
- She is best known as an essayist, with pieces that blend science and personal narrative.
- The magazine hired a political essayist to contribute a monthly column.
- He worked as a critic and essayist before publishing his first book.
Learner examples
- My teacher gave us an essay by a famous essayist.
- She is an essayist who writes about travel.
Noun
formal
C1
role
2
person who writes an essay
a person who is writing an essay
Usage pattern:
the essayist
Common mistake:
In everyday English, people usually say student or writer; essayist can sound overly formal in school contexts.
Synonyms
writer (Much more common; not limited to essays.)
|
student (Common in school contexts; focuses on the person’s role rather than the writing.)
Collocations
the essayist argues
|the essayist claims
|the essayist concludes
|the essayist's main point
|the essayist's thesis
|the essayist's evidence
Themes
education
|writing
|testing
Examples
- The essayist compares two different views of freedom in the final paragraph.
- A strong essayist supports each claim with clear evidence.
- The rubric rewards an essayist who writes a clear thesis statement.
Learner examples
- The essayist gives two reasons for her opinion.
Grammar
Dictionary form
essayist
IPA
GB/ˈɛsˌeɪɪst/
US/ˈɛsˌeɪɪst/
Syllables & stress
es - say - ist (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (es)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: essayist
- Plural: essayists
Word family
Forms
essayists
noun
Core family
essay
noun B1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.