essayist

noun

es·​say·​ist ˈe-ˌsā-ist 

: a writer of essays

Examples of essayist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Robin Myers is a poet, translator, essayist, and 2023 NEA Translation Fellow. — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026

James Baldwin, a poet, activist and essayist, is one of the most influential figures in American history. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 June 2026

There also lies the influence of Chilean essayist Pedro Lemebel, braided into Delgado Lopera’s narrative of a father, Ignacio; his 12-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Valentina; and his trans mother, Mamadora Eléctrica, inspired by the author’s own trans mother, Adela Vázquez. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Kramer, a playwright and essayist who had been covering AIDS since the beginning through journalism, had co-founded the non-profit Gay Men’s Health Crisis in 1982. — Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 3 June 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