Quintessential (adj)
kwin-tee-sen-shul
The pure and essential essence or embodiment of something.
First recorded in 1545–55; quintessence (concentrated essence) + -ial, on the pattern of essential.
Example sentences
“A hike that ends in a pub, some beers and a Sunday lunch is a quintessential British pastime.”
Every year, former U.S. President Barack O’Bama shares his reading and music recommendations. 2026’s summer reading list features a range of titles in fiction and non-fiction exploring relationships, life, the…
A collection of books from the personal library of Raymond Briggs, the English author and illustrator best known for creating The Snowman, has gone on sale at a charity shop…
For many readers, it sounds like the plot of a dystopian novel. Artificial intelligence companies are buying books by the million, cutting the bindings off, scanning every page, and then…
Author Matt Haig is set to open a new bookshop in Brighton. The writer, best known for his bestselling books including Reasons to Stay Alive, The Midnight Library, and How…
Greek myths with their myriad of gods, goddess and mystical creatures have long intrigued, captured and inspired people around the world. With Homer’s Odyssey about to hit the big screens…
