essentially

UK /ɪˈsɛnʃəli/ US /ɪˈsɛnʃəli/

adv 2

Definitions

adv

In an essential way.

Near-synonyms: actually, at bottom, at heart, basically, fundamentally, characteristically, centrally, substantially; see also Thesaurus:fundamentally

The beaver is a social creature, not just occasionally but essentially.

In an essential way.

A: So you're saying, in other words, that he's greedy? B: Essentially, yes, that's what I'm saying.

Collocations

ADJ.

aesthetic, based, big, correct, expected, free, hard, irrefutable

The design is essentially based on principles that have worked for centuries.

VERB + ESSENTIALLY

become, said, war

The conflict has essentially become a struggle between two rival factions.

ESSENTIALLY + NOUN

ice, it's, nothing, story, thing

The whole situation is essentially nothing more than a misunderstanding between two friends.

PREP.

in, in, on

The success of the project depended essentially on having the right team in place.

ADV.

occasionally

He's essentially a kind person, though he occasionally says things without thinking.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

adverb — in essence

basically
fundamentally

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Near-synonyms: actually, at bottom, at heart, basically, fundamentally, characteristically, centrally, substantially; see also Thesaurus:fundamentally

Wiktionary

The beaver is a social creature, not just occasionally but essentially.

Wiktionary

A thin, crunchy lemon and thyme rosti was essentially the pimped-up aesthetic of the Kettle chip. That's OK. I like Kettle chips.

Wiktionary

In general, the relationship between parents and children is essentially based on teaching.

Tatoeba · #21801

Diamond is essentially hard.

Tatoeba · #41111

It is essentially a question of time.

Tatoeba · #42098

Usage Notes

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