essay

essay

noun

Definition of ESSAY

1

a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view <school essays on what it means to be a patriot>

Synonyms article, composition, paper, theme

Related Words causerie; column, commentary, editorial, feature, report, review, write-up; dissertation, thesis; tract, treatise; discourse, discussion, exposition, prolegomenon, study

2

an effort to do or accomplish something <my first essay at baking a cake did not go well>

Synonyms assay [archaic], bash [chiefly British], bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl

Related Words striving, struggle, throes, undertaking; trial and error

3

a procedure or operation carried out to resolve an uncertainty <a little homemade essay to determine the easiest way to strip the paint from the bookcase>

Synonyms essay, experimentation, test, trial

Related Words trial and error; dry run, shakedown; exercise, practice (also practise), rehearsal, tryout, workout; crucible, ordeal; attempt, effort, try