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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Essence Definition: Core Meaning & Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：fundamental quality (essence)

essence 🔊

/ˈɛsəns/

The most important and basic quality of something that makes it what it is.

Essence core diagram showing layered object with glowing center

fundamental quality 🔊

➕

/ˈfʌndəˌmɛntəl ˈkwɒləti/

The intrinsic, indispensable character or nature of something that determines its identity.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin essentia (being, essence), from esse (to be) + -entia.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'Esse' = to be; essence is the 'beingness' that makes something what it truly is.

📖 Example

The essence of good teamwork is trust and open communication. 🔊 The essence of good teamwork is trust and open communication.

🔗 Collocations

in essence – fundamentally; by nature

the essence of – the core or most important aspect of

of the essence – extremely important; critical

🔄 Synonyms

core (n.) – The central or most important part of something.

heart (n.) – The vital or fundamental part; the core.

substance (n.) – The most important or essential part of something.

🚫 Antonyms

surface (n.) – The outward or superficial aspect, as opposed to the essence.

appearance (n.) – The way something looks, which may hide its true essence.

accident (n.) – In philosophy, a non-essential property that can change without altering the essence.

🌱 Derivatives

essential (adj.) – Absolutely necessary; fundamental.

essentially (adv.) – In essence; fundamentally.

essentiality (n.) – The quality of being essential.

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'essentia', translating Greek 'ousia' (substance). In philosophy, essence vs. existence. Also used for concentrated extracts in cooking and perfumery.

Meaning 2：concentrated extract (essence)

essence 🔊

/ˈɛsəns/

A strong liquid taken from a plant, food, etc., that has its smell or taste.

Essence extract drop falling from dropper bottle into bowl

concentrated extract 🔊

➕

/ˈkɒnsəntreɪtɪd ˈɛkstrækt/

A highly concentrated liquid obtained from plants or food, used to impart flavor or aroma.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She added a few drops of vanilla essence to the cake batter to give it a rich flavor. 🔊 She added a few drops of vanilla essence to the cake batter to give it a rich flavor.

🔗 Collocations

vanilla essence – A concentrated vanilla extract used in baking.

almond essence – A flavoring made from bitter almonds.

essence of mint – A concentrated mint extract.

🔄 Synonyms

extract (n.) – A concentrated substance obtained from a source by extraction.

tincture (n.) – A solution of a substance in alcohol, used as a flavoring or medicine.

concentrate (n.) – A substance made stronger or more concentrated, especially a liquid.

🚫 Antonyms

dilution (n.) – A liquid that has been made weaker by adding water or solvent.