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Definition of quintessential

quintessential

/ˌkwɪn.təˈsɛn.ʃəl/
quin · tes · sen · tial
Adverb:quintessentially
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quintessential Lexical Profile

quintessential Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Representing the most perfect, pure, or typical example of a quality or class.

Example

"With its ivy-covered stone walls and historic library, the campus looks like the quintessential New England college."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for quintessential

• Nearby Words

quince
quincy
quinoa
quintessential
quintessentially
quintet
quintillion

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Medieval Latin phrase quinta essentia ('fifth essence'), referring to the ancient and medieval philosophical concept of a pure fifth element (ether) that permeated all of nature beyond earth, water, fire, and air.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Quintessential. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/quintessential
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