essence

1 of 1noun

/ˈɛ.səns/

Forms:essences

1

the core or main idea of something, what makes it special or unique

Friendship is about trust, loyalty, and understanding; these qualities form the essence of true companionship.
In cooking, the essence of a dish often comes from fresh, high-quality ingredients.
The artist aimed to capture the essence of the landscape in her painting, conveying its beauty and tranquility.
The teacher emphasized that the essence of learning lies not just in memorizing facts, but in understanding concepts and applying them creatively.
The essence of a successful business lies in providing value to customers and fostering strong relationships.

Synonyms:

center gist pith heart kernel sum substance nitty-gritty marrow core heart and soul centre meat nub inwardness

2

a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor

Synonyms:

3

the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

Synonyms:

gist core effect burden

4

any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted