Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about Essentially (AI summary)

In literature, the adverb “essentially” is employed to clarify the inherent or fundamental quality of a subject, reducing multifaceted ideas to their core substance. It is used to indicate that, despite any additional nuances, the primary nature of a thing remains constant—as in the case of a turbine’s high-speed design [1] or the brain’s organization as a network of currents [2]. Writers extend its function into philosophical critique, noting, for instance, the intrinsic character of concepts like heroism [3] or the distinct focus of fear as opposed to general anxiety [4]. Moreover, “essentially” appears in discussions on cultural, religious, and moral matters, emphasizing primary attributes over secondary details, whether describing the inherent moral quality of a man [5] or the defining essence of educational or creative processes [6, 7]. Thus, the word serves as a precise linguistic tool that distills complex ideas down to their most central truths.
  1. It must be remembered that a turbine is essentially meant for high speeds.
    — from How it Works by Archibald Williams
  2. For, in the first place, the brain is essentially a place of currents, which run in organized paths.
    — from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James
  3. But if there is anything essentially unevangelical, it is surely the concept of the hero.
    — from The Antichrist by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
  4. I think that anxiety is used in connection with a condition regardless of any objective, while fear is essentially directed toward an object.
    — from A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud
  5. It is even part of my ambition to be considered as essentially a despiser of Germans.
    — from Ecce Homo by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
  6. Education: essentially a means of ruining exceptions in favour of the rule.
    — from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche
  7. Its ambition is rational, and what its heart desires is essentially good and ideal.
    — from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy