ESSENTIALLY

basically, fundamentally, essentially

(adverb) in essence; at bottom or by one’s (or its) very nature; “He is basically dishonest”; “the argument was essentially a technical one”; “for all his bluster he is in essence a shy person”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

essentially (comparative more essentially, superlative most essentially)

in an essential manner; in essence

Synonyms

• actually, at bottom, at heart, basically, centrally, characteristically, factually, fundamentally, in essence, in the main, inherently, intrinsically, naturally, substantially

• See also intrinsically or fundamentally

Source: Wiktionary


Es*sen"tial*ly, adv.

Definition: In an essential manner or degree; in an indispensable degree; really; as, essentially different.

ESSENTIAL

Es*sen"tial, a. Etym: [Cf. F. essentiel. See Essence.]

1. Belonging to the essence, or that which makes an object, or class of objects, what it is. Majestic as the voice sometimes became, there was forever in it an essential character of plaintiveness. Hawthorne.

2. Hence, really existing; existent. Is it true, that thou art but a a name, And no essential thing Webster (1623).

3. Important in the highest degree; indispensable to the attainment of an object; indispensably necessary. Judgment's more essential to a general Than courage. Denham. How to live -- that is the essential question for us. H. Spencer.

4. Containing the essence or characteristic portion of a substance, as of a plant; highly rectified; pure; hence, unmixed; as, an essential oil. "Mine own essential horror." Ford.

5. (Mus.)

Definition: Necessary; indispensable; -- said of those tones which constitute a chord, in distinction from ornamental or passing tones.

6. (Med.)

Definition: Idiopathic; independent of other diseases. Essential character (Biol.), the prominent characteristics which serve to distinguish one genus, species, etc., from another.

– Essential disease, Essential fever (Med.), one that is not dependent on another.

– Essential oils (Chem.), a class of volatile oils, extracted from plants, fruits, or flowers, having each its characteristic odor, and hot burning taste. They are used in essences, perfumery, etc., and include many varieties of compounds; as lemon oil is a terpene, oil of bitter almonds an aldehyde, oil of wintergreen an ethereal salt, etc.; -- called also volatile oils in distinction from the fixed or nonvolatile.

Es*sen"tial, n.

1. Existence; being. [Obs.] Milton.

2. That which is essential; first or constituent principle; as, the essentials or religion.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

20 June 2025

MODEST

(adjective) marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself; “a modest apartment”; “too modest to wear his medals”


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Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the largest coffee press is 230 cm (7 ft 6 in) in height and 72 cm (2 ft 4 in) in diameter and was created by Salzillo Tea and Coffee (Spain) in Murcia, Spain, in February 2007. The cafetière consists of a stainless steel container, a filtering piston, and a superior lid.

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