Synonyms

of the essence

Idioms

Of the greatest importance, crucial, as in Time is of the essence. This idiom, which uses essence in the sense of “the most important element of something,” was first recorded in 1873, although the phrase the essence of... was already being used in the mid-1600s.

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.

"If a heel prick test had been done... things would have been addressed. Time is of the essence with this."

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

Time is of the essence when it comes to making these refund-enhancing tax-planning moves, and filing your 2025 tax return, according to Greene-Lewis.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 4, 2025

With speed of the essence, they don’t stop for anything; even bathroom breaks are handled as the boat rockets forward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Rutte said the agreement should push Russia to reconsider peace talks and said “speed is of the essence here.”

From Salon • Jul. 14, 2025

And while Clare was tempted to let her continue, just to see what absurd finish she had planned for this charade, time was of the essence.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023