Essentially Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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essentially
es-sen-tial-ly
Definitions
in essence
Used to emphasize the basic, fundamental, or intrinsic nature of a person, thing, or situation.
Synonyms
basically, fundamentally, in essence.
Examples of usage
- Essentially, the problem boils down to a lack of communication.
- The company is essentially bankrupt.
- He is essentially a good person.
Translations
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Quick facts about “essentially”
Essentially is a 4-syllable adverb (es-sen-tial-ly). It is pronounced /ɛˈsɛnʃəɫi/ in American English and /ɪsˈɛnʃəlˌi/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #2,324 among the most common English words.
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“essentially” in philosophy
- Philosophers often explore what it means to say something is 'essential', diving into debates about existence and reality.
- In existentialism, understanding something 'essentially' can mean grasping its true nature beyond superficial attributes.
- Aristotle discussed 'essences' in his works, focusing on what defines various entities and their classifications.
“essentially” in linguistics
- 'Essentially' plays a crucial role in clarifying complex ideas, acting as a bridge to distill sophisticated thoughts into simpler language.
- In spoken language, it often serves as a filler word, signaling that the speaker is about to summarize or clarify.
- The use of 'essentially' can change the tone of a statement, making it feel more definitive and confident.
“essentially” in usage in everyday language
- In conversations, people frequently use it to emphasize the core message, like saying 'Essentially, we need to work together.'
- 'Essentially' is often found in academic writing, helping to convey complex theories in a clearer manner.
- It can also be used in persuasive speech to reinforce key arguments, as in 'Essentially, this is why we should take action now.'
Origin of 'essentially'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'essentia', which means 'essence' or 'being', reflecting its focus on fundamental nature.
- It first appeared in English during the 15th century, showing how long people have been discussing what things really mean.
- Related words like 'essential' and 'essence' emphasize the importance of core qualities or characteristics.
The word 'essentially' comes from the Latin word 'essentialis', which means 'of the essence' or 'related to the nature of something'. It has been used in English since the late 16th century, originally in the sense of 'in an essential manner'. Over time, it has evolved to convey the idea of something being fundamental or intrinsic.
See also: essentialist, essentiality, essentials, inessential, nonessential.
Rhymes
Essentially rhymes with exponentially, preferentially, quintessentially, eventually, potentially, sequentially, confidentially and tangentially.