essayist

noun

es·​say·​ist ˈe-ˌsā-ist How to pronounce essayist (audio)
Synonyms of essayistnext
: a writer of essays

Examples of essayist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Megan O’Grady is a critic and an essayist. Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026 The latter book was Straub's favorite piece of work from the late director and essayist. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026 One of the first people to strongly encourage Crane to write the book was Joe Queenan, a prolific essayist and columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026 Cyraina Johnson-Roullier is an associate professor of modern literature and literature of the Americas at the University of Notre Dame, as well as an author and essayist. Cyraina Johnson-Roullier, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for essayist

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of essayist was in 1601

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Cite this Entry

“Essayist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essayist. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

essayist

noun
es·​say·​ist ˈes-ˌā-əst How to pronounce essayist (audio)
: a writer of essays

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