essay

CEFRB1

/ɛˈseɪ/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A short piece of writing about a subject.

  2. 02

    verb

    To try or attempt something.

Examples

  • I have to write an essay this weekend.

  • What criterion did you use when you elected this essay as the winner?

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈɛs.eɪ/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A test, experiment; an assay.

  2. An attempt.

  3. A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.

More examples

In context

  • You can finish your essay now.

  • Shall we essay a walk on the promenade?

  • My first essay at getting employment was fruitless; but after no small number of mortifying rebuffs from various parties to whom I applied for assistance, I was at last rewarded by a comparative success.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

For homework, each student must write a five-paragraph blank on climate change.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay, essai (“essay”), meaning coined by Montaigne at the same time, from the same words with the earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay, essai, assay, assai, from Latin exagium (“weight; weighing, testing on the balance”), from exigere + -ium.