How to pronounce essence
Say it like ES-uns. Essence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce essence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ES
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Essence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of essence
American and British speakers say essence in essentially the same way: /ˈɛsəns/ in the US and /ˈɛsəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: ES-uns.
What does essence mean?
- 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”
- any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted
- the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with essence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of essence.
- adolescence
- fluorescence
- obsolescence
- inflorescence
- luminescence
- senescence
- acquiescence
- convalescence
- evanescence
- iridescence
Questions about saying essence
How do you pronounce essence?
Say ES-uns. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛsəns/. In British English it is /ˈɛsəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in essence?
Essence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ES). Broken into parts: ES · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say essence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛsəns/ and the British form is /ˈɛsəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.