English · Word Candidate

essay

/ˈɛs.eɪ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: essays · essaying · essayed

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Một bài viết vừa phải, khám phá vấn đề hoặc chủ đề cụ thể

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

In his first book since the 2008 essay collection Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature, David Quammen looks at the natural world from yet another angle: the search for the next human pandemic, what epidemiologists call “the next big one.”

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Thiết kế đề xuất cho con tem hoặc tiền giấy

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To attempt or try.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

cố gắng hoặc thử

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

VerbRegister: dated

Examples

Shall we essay a walk on the promenade?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To move forth, as into battle.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

tiến lên, như vào trận chiến

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “essay” mean?

A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.

Is “essay” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.