essay

1 of 2

noun

es·​say ˈe-ˌsā How to pronounce essay (audio)
senses 2, 3 & 4 also
e-ˈsā How to pronounce essay (audio)
Synonyms of essaynext
1
a
: an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view
b
: something resembling such a composition
a photographic essay
2
a
: effort, attempt
especially : an initial tentative effort
b
: the result or product of an attempt
3
: a proof of an unaccepted design for a stamp or piece of paper money
4
obsolete : trial, test

essay

2 of 2

verb

es·​say e-ˈsā How to pronounce essay (audio)
ə-ˈsā,
ˈe-ˌsā How to pronounce essay (audio)
essayed; essaying; essays

transitive verb

1
: to make an often tentative or experimental effort to perform : try
2
: to put to a test
essayer noun

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for essay

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end.

attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

will attempt to photograph the rare bird

try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

tried to determine which was the better procedure

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

continues to strive for peace

Examples of essay in a Sentence

Noun Your assignment is to write a 500-word essay on one of Shakespeare's sonnets. The book is a collection of his previously unpublished essays on a variety of topics. Verb There is no hint as to which of the approaches essayed in this book will prove most useful. he had been in gymnastics for some time before he even considered essaying that move
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In September 2022, O'Donnell penned an emotional essay for PEOPLE and opened up about Clay's autism diagnosis for the first time. — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025 From our hosts Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images This essay was written by Leila Fadel, Up First and Morning Edition host. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Ashutosh Rana essays the role of Kaushal’s uncle, Maratha general Hambirrao Mohite, in the film. — Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 Salmaan essays the lead role of Baskhar in Venky Atluri’s Lucky Baskhar. — Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for essay

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French essai, ultimately from Late Latin exagium act of weighing, from Latin ex- + agere to drive — more at agent

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of essay was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing essay

Rhymes for essay

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Browse Nearby Words

essay
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Cite this Entry

“Essay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essay. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

essay

2 of 2 noun
es·​say ˈes-ˌā How to pronounce essay (audio)
in sense 1 also
e-ˈsā How to pronounce essay (audio)
1
: attempt entry 2 sense 1, try
especially : an uncertain or hesitant effort
2
: a usually short written work giving a personal view or opinion on a subject

More from Merriam-Webster on essay

Nglish: Translation of essay for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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