quintessential

[kwin-tuh-sen-shuhl]

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.

quintessential

/ ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl /

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• quintessentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintessential¹

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

Related Words

• typical 
• ultimate