essentially

British  

/ ɪˈsɛnʃəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a fundamental or basic way; in essence

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Explanation

Notice the tie between essentially and the word "essence," referring to the very core of something. As an adverb, then, essentially refers to something's nature. In spite of your faults, you're essentially a good person. The word essentia came from the Lower Latin, referring to something's inherent qualities. If you're convinced that there's not much difference between two things, you might say that they are essentially the same. Nietzsche once made the essentially sexist comment, "Man wishes woman to be peaceable, but in fact she is essentially warlike, like the cat.”

Example Sentences

She was charged with interfering with a federal agent and issued a notice of violation — essentially a ticket — for the misdemeanor offense.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

By blocking a protein known as Ant2, they were able to change how these cells produce and use energy, essentially rewiring their internal power supply.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

My mother essentially has nothing — no homeownership, no car and no job.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

It is essentially economic output per hour worked, reflecting the contribution of technology and capital.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

There are some who claim not just that some discoveries are difficult to pinpoint but that all discovery claims are essentially fictitious.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• actually
• approximately
• necessarily
• originally
• permanently
• quite
• really
• substantially
• truly
• typically
• virtually