essay
a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.
anything resembling such a composition: a picture essay.
an effort to perform or accomplish something; attempt.
Philately. a design for a proposed stamp differing in any way from the design of the stamp as issued.
Obsolete. a tentative effort; trial; assay.
to try; attempt.
to put to the test; make trial of.
Origin of essay
1Other words from essay
- es·say·er, noun
- pre·es·say, verb (used without object)
- un·es·sayed, adjective
- well-es·sayed, adjective
Words that may be confused with essay
- assay, essay
Words Nearby essay
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use essay in a sentence
As several of my colleagues commented, the result is good enough that it could pass for an essay written by a first-year undergraduate, and even get a pretty decent grade.
Welcome to the Next Level of Bullshit - Issue 89: The Dark Side | Raphaël Millière | September 9, 2020 | NautilusGPT-3 also raises concerns about the future of essay writing in the education system.
Welcome to the Next Level of Bullshit - Issue 89: The Dark Side | Raphaël Millière | September 9, 2020 | NautilusThis little essay helps focus on self-knowledge in what you’re best at, and how you should prioritize your time.
Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in health | Rachel King | September 9, 2020 | FortuneAs Steven Feldstein argues in the opening essay, technonationalism plays a part in the strengthening of other autocracies too.
He’s written a collection of essays on civil engineering life titled Bridginess, and to this day he and Lauren go on “bridge dates,” where they enjoy a meal and admire the view of a nearby span.
A life bridging engineering and education | Tate Ryan-Mosley | August 19, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
I think a certain kind of compelling essay has a piece of that.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination | Mindy Farabee | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe current attack on the Jews,” he wrote in a 1937 essay, “targets not just this people of 15 million but mankind as such.
The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler | John Henry Crosby | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe impulse to interpret seems to me what makes personal essay writing compelling.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination | Mindy Farabee | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo be honest, I think a lot of good essay writing comes out of that.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination | Mindy Farabee | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSomeone recently sent me an old Joan Didion essay on self-respect that appeared in Vogue.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination | Mindy Farabee | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThere is more of the uplifted forefinger and the reiterated point than I should have allowed myself in an essay.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation | H. G. (Herbert George) WellsConsequently he was able to turn in a clear essay upon the subject, which, upon examination, the king found to be free from error.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeIt is no part of the present essay to attempt to detail the particulars of a code of social legislation.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockBut angels and ministers of grace defend us from ministers of religion who essay art criticism!
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries | Charles G. HarperIt is fit that the imagination, which is free to go through all things, should essay such excursions.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
British Dictionary definitions for essay
a short literary composition dealing with a subject analytically or speculatively
an attempt or endeavour; effort
a test or trial
to attempt or endeavour; try
to test or try out
Origin of essay
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for essay
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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