essentially

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   Used to say what something is at its core, ignoring small details.

   Grammar: Often placed before the main verb or at the start of a sentence: it is essentially a loan.

   Patterns

   • essentially a/an something
   • essentially the same

   The two plans are essentially the same.

   Essentially, the job involves answering questions from customers.

   The film is essentially a love story set in wartime.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   Used when summarizing or when saying something in a simpler way, meaning more or less.

   Grammar: Often introduces a summary: essentially, we ran out of money.

   Patterns

   • essentially, + clause

   Essentially, we need more time and more money.

   He essentially told me to leave without saying it.

   The company is essentially bankrupt.

3. 3adverbnot comparableformal

   By its basic nature; in a way that belongs to the true character of something.

   Grammar: Appears before an adjective: essentially human.

   Patterns

   • essentially + adjective

   Humans are essentially social creatures.

   The report is essentially flawed in its method.

   The dish remains essentially Italian despite the changes.

Common combinations

essentially the same

The two recipes are essentially the same.

essentially a matter of

This is essentially a matter of trust.

essentially correct

His answer was essentially correct, apart from one date.

essentially unchanged

The town remains essentially unchanged since the 1950s.

Essentially, ...

Essentially, the plan failed because nobody listened.

Synonyms and how they differ

basically

Basically is more casual and often used as a filler in speech, whereas essentially sounds slightly more careful.

fundamentally

Fundamentally is stronger and points to the deepest foundation of something, not just a simplification.

in effect

In effect means the result is the same in practice, even if the official description is different.

at heart

At heart describes true character, especially of people, and it is more personal than essentially.

Opposites

Word family

essence noun

the basic nature of something

essential adjective

absolutely necessary, or basic to the nature of something

essentials noun

the things you cannot do without

essentialism noun

the belief that things have a fixed basic nature

Commonly confused: essentially or especially?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “essentially”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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