essay
Americannoun
-
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.
verb (used with object)
-
to try; attempt.
-
to put to the test; make trial of.
noun
-
a short literary composition dealing with a subject analytically or speculatively
-
an attempt or endeavour; effort
-
a test or trial
verb
-
to attempt or endeavour; try
-
to test or try out
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have essayedperfect
-
has essayedperfect 3rd person singular
-
is essayingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been essayingperfect progressive
-
has been essayingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are essayingprogressive
-
essayssingular 3rd person
-
am essayingprogressive 1st person singular
-
essayingparticiple
Past
-
had essayedperfect
-
were essayingprogressive plural
-
had been essayingperfect progressive
-
essayedsimple
-
was essayingprogressive singular
-
essayedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of essay
First recorded in 1475–85; from Middle French essayer, from Late Latin exagium “a weighing,” from exag(ere) (unrecorded) “to examine, test,” literally, “to drive out, thrust out” (from Latin exigere; see exact) + -ium -ium
Explanation
A composition that is usually short and has a literary theme is called an essay. You should probably start writing your essay on "To Kill a Mockingbird" sometime before the bus ride to school the day it is due. As a noun, an essay is also an attempt, especially a tentative initial one. Your essay to make friends at your new school would probably work better if you actually spoke to other students. As a verb, to essay is to make an attempt. If you essay to run for student council, you might lose to the girl who promises more recess, longer lunches, and less homework.
Vocabulary lists containing essay
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The above essay is excerpted from the essay “Home Going” in “Freedom” by Zinzi Clemmons, published by Viking this June.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
The spectacled Beijinger admitted he was nervous for the essay portion of the Chinese test.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
The May 10 Substack essay that began circulating in the wake of her Instagram post did nothing to dispel that eventuality.
From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026
In an essay this week, Paolo Benanti, a Catholic priest and technology ethicist, weighs in on the topic.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
Miss K suggested he could go to the library, look up facts about mice, and write an essay about them.
From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
