essayist

noun

es·​say·​ist ˈe-ˌsā-ist 

: a writer of essays

Examples of essayist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

James Baldwin rose to prominence as a novelist, essayist, and public intellectual at a time when psychoanalysis was all the rage. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 4 Aug. 2026

Icelandic poet, novelist and essayist Andri Snær Magnason was tasked with commemorating Ok, his words etched into copper and fastened to rock uncovered by the glacier’s retreating ice. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 July 2026

As the Antiguan-American novelist and essayist Jamaica Kincaid sharply observed in her books, the Afro-Caribbean experience is one of defeat, survival, and resistance. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Novelist, essayist, playwright and activist James Baldwin was born in New York City. — USA Today, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for essayist

• gayest
• mayest
• sayest

Kids Definition

essayist

noun

es·​say·​ist ˈes-ˌā-əst 

: a writer of essays