How to pronounce quintessence
Say it like kwin-TES-uns. Quintessence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quintessence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kwin
- TES
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quintessence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kwinKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TESSay 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 quintessence
American and British speakers say quintessence in essentially the same way: /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/ in the US and /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: kwin-TES-uns.
What does quintessence mean?
- A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype.
- A pure substance.
- The essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.
- To reduce to its purest and most concentrated essence.
Where does quintessence come from?
From Middle English, borrowed from Middle French, from Medieval Latin quinta essentia (“fifth essence, aether”), equivalent to quint- + essence.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with quintessence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quintessence.
- adolescence
- fluorescence
- obsolescence
- inflorescence
- luminescence
- senescence
- acquiescence
- convalescence
- evanescence
- iridescence
Questions about saying quintessence
How do you pronounce quintessence?
Say kwin-TES-uns. The American pronunciation is /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/. In British English it is /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quintessence?
Quintessence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TES). Broken into parts: kwin · TES · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say quintessence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/ and the British form is /kwɪnˈtɛsəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.