• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

es·pa·drille noun [ORIGIN: F]

: a flat sandal usu. having a fabric upper and a flexible sole

es·pal·ier noun : a plant (as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support

— espalier verb

es·pe·cial adjective : being distinctive : SPECIAL

Synonyms

distinct, express, precise, set, special, specific—more at EXPRESS

es·pe·cial·ly adverb 1 : in a special manner; also : in particular

2 : in a particularly strong or good way — used as an intensive

Synonyms

extremely, greatly, highly, hugely, most, much, so, too, very

Es·pe·ran·to noun : an artificial international language based esp. on words common to the chief European languages

es·pi·o·nage noun [ORIGIN: F espionnage]

: the practice of spying

es·pla·nade noun : a level open stretch or area; especially : one for walking or driving along a shore

es·pous·al noun 1 : the act of betrothing or fact of being betrothed : BETROTHAL; also : WEDDING

2 : a taking up (as of a cause) as a supporter

— es·pouse verb

Synonyms

marriage, wedding—more at WEDDING

engagement, troth—more at ENGAGEMENT

espres·so noun, plural -sos : coffee brewed by forcing steam through finely ground darkly roasted coffee beans

es·prit noun : sprightly wit

Synonyms

bounce, dash, drive, ginger, pep, punch, snap, spirit, verve, vim, zing, zip—more at SPIRIT

es·prit de corps noun [ORIGIN: F]

: the common spirit existing in the members of a group

es·py verb es·pied; es·py·ing : to catch sight of

Synonyms

discern, eye, notice, observe, perceive, regard, see, sight, spy, view—more at SEE

Esq or Esqr abbreviation esquire

es·quire noun [ORIGIN: ME, fr. MF esquier squire, fr. LL scutarius, fr. L scutum shield]

1 : a man of the English gentry ranking next below a knight

2 : a candidate for knighthood serving as attendant to a knight

3 — used as a title of courtesy

-ess noun suffix : female

1essay verb : to make an often tentative or experimental effort to perform : ATTEMPT, TRY

Synonyms

assay, attempt, endeavor, seek, strive, try—more at ATTEMPT

2essay noun 1 : an initial tentative effort : ATTEMPT

2 : a literary composition usu. dealing with a subject from a limited or personal point of view

— es·say·ist noun

Synonyms

[1] attempt, crack, endeavor, fling, go, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack—more at ATTEMPT

[2] article, composition, paper, theme; also column, commentary, editorial, feature, report, review, write-up; dissertation, thesis; tract, treatise; discourse, discussion, exposition, study

es·sence noun 1 : fundamental nature or quality

2 : a substance distilled or extracted from another substance (as a plant or drug) and having the special qualities of the original substance

3 : PERFUME

4 : the most significant element or aspect of something

Synonyms

[1, 4] nature, quintessence, soul, stuff, substance; also heart, spirit; center, core, keynote, marrow, pith, seat; embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification; aspect, attribute, feature, property; gist, kernel, nub

1essential adjective 1 : of, relating to, or constituting an essence <~ oils>

2 : of the utmost importance : INDISPENSABLE; also : of, relating to, or forming the base or essence

3 : being a substance that must be obtained from the diet because it is not sufficiently produced by the body <~ amino acids>

— es·sen·tial·ly adverb

Synonyms

[1] ingrained, inherent, innate, integral, intrinsic, natural—more at INHERENT

[1] basic, elemental, elementary, fundamental, underlying—more at ELEMENTARY

[2] imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needful, requisite, vital; also prerequisite; compulsory, mandatory, obligatory; important, momentous, significant; basic, central, fundamental, key, organic; insistent, persistent, pressing, urgent

Antonyms

dispensable, needless, nonessential

2essential noun : something indispensable

Synonyms

condition, demand, must, necessity, need, requirement,