essentially
gb/ɪsˈɛnʃəli/ us/ɪsˈɛnʃəli/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
relation
1
in the most important way
Used to say what is most true or important, even if small details are different.
Usage pattern:
essentially [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'essentially' with 'eventually'. 'Eventually' means 'after some time', while 'essentially' means 'in the most important way'.
Synonyms
fundamentally (Slightly more formal; often used in academic or analytical contexts.)
|
basically (More informal and conversational than 'essentially'.)
Antonyms
superficially (Focuses on surface details rather than the core truth.)
Collocations
essentially the same
|essentially unchanged
|essentially true
|essentially correct
Themes
communication
|thinking
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two proposals are essentially the same.
- Essentially, she wants more time to finish the project.
- The plan is essentially sound, but it needs some adjustments.
- Your argument is essentially correct, though I disagree on a few points.
Learner examples
- The two dresses are essentially the same.
- Essentially, he is asking for help.
- The story is essentially true.
- Essentially, we need more time.
adverb
formal
B2
relation
2
in a pure form
About the true nature of something, not changed by outside things.
Usage pattern:
essentially [adjective/adverb]
Synonyms
intrinsically (More formal and often used in philosophical or scientific contexts.)
Antonyms
accidentally (In philosophy, refers to properties that are not essential to the nature of something.)
Collocations
essentially human
|essentially different
|essentially related
Themes
science
|philosophy
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Humans are essentially social beings.
- Gold is essentially non-reactive under normal conditions.
- The two languages are essentially unrelated.
Learner examples
- Water is essentially clear.
- Cats are essentially independent animals.
- This metal is essentially soft.
Grammar
Dictionary form
essentially
IPA
GB/ɪsˈɛnʃəli/
US/ɪsˈɛnʃəli/
Syllables & stress
es - sen - tially (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sen)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: essentially
- Plural: essentiallies
Word family
Expressions
essentially correct
1/ɪsˈɛnʃəli kɚˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
correct in main aspects
Used to say that something is right in the most important way, even if some details are wrong.
Examples
- Your answer is essentially correct, but you missed one point.
- The theory is essentially correct according to current research.
essentially the same
1/ɪsˈɛnʃəli ðə sˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
almost exactly the same
Used to say two things are almost the same in an important way.
Examples
- The two reports are essentially the same, with only minor changes.
- These phones are essentially the same in performance.
essentially true
1/ɪsˈɛnʃəli tɹˈu/
fixed phrase
true in main points
Used to say that something is mostly true, even if some small parts are not.
Examples
- His statement was essentially true, though not complete.
- The news article is essentially true despite a few errors.