essence synonyms

essence

n.

  1. Fundamental nature

    pith, core, kernel, gist, root, nature, basis, being, essential quality, spirit, sum and substance, reality, quintessence, constitution, substance, binder, filler, nucleus, vital part, base, chief constituent, primary element, germ, heart, marrow, backbone, caliber, soul, lifeblood, bottom, life, grain, structure, principle, vein, character, fundamentals; see also characteristic.

  2. A distilled spirit

    concentrate, extract, elixir, distillation, juice, spirit(s), tincture, liquor, alcohol, ammonia, potion, drug, drops, perfume, fragrance, scent.

in essence

fundamentally, basically, at bottom; see essentially.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.