essence meaning and definition

ESSENCE noun

Definition of essence (noun)

1. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
   • "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"
   • synonyms: center, centre, core, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meat, nitty-gritty, nub, pith, substance, sum
2. any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted
3. the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
   • synonyms: burden, core, effect, gist
4. a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor
   • synonyms: perfume