quintessential

American  

[kwin-tuh-sen-shuhl] / ˌkwɪn təˈsɛn ʃəl /

adjective

1. of the pure and essential essence of something.

   the quintessential Jewish delicatessen.

2. of or relating to the most perfect embodiment of something.

   the quintessential performance of the Brandenburg Concertos.

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quintessential British  

/ ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. most typically representative of a quality, state, etc; perfect

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Other Word Forms

• quintessentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of quintessential

First recorded in 1545–55; quintessence ( def. ) + -ial ( def. ), on the pattern of essential ( def. )

Example Sentences

When most people think about the quintessential student experience, they may conjure up images of late night parties, early morning lectures and spending time in the student union bar between classes.

From BBC

The novel begins with a quintessential 1940s California homemaker preparing for . . . something.

From The Wall Street Journal

In my quest to prove that quintessentially Parisian experiences can be had without exorbitant fees, I went in search of affordable perfumery workshops.

From The Wall Street Journal

Here is the quintessential Westerner about to transform himself from Honest Abe the rail-splitter into Father Abraham, the avuncular statesman capable of handling the looming crisis over disunion and slavery.

From The Wall Street Journal

Contrast the tech companies’ reporting methods with the longstanding approach by two railroad companies, in a quintessentially asset-heavy industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• typical
• ultimate