Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun essence

4 senses of essence

Sense 1
kernel, substance, core, center, centre, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty -- (the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story")
       => content, cognitive content, mental object -- (the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned)

Sense 2
essence -- (any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted)
       => substance -- (the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; "DNA is the substance of our genes")

Sense 3
effect, essence, burden, core, gist -- (the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work)
       => meaning, significance, signification, import -- (the message that is intended or expressed or signified; "what is the meaning of this sentence"; "the significance of a red traffic light"; "the signification of Chinese characters"; "the import of his announcement was ambiguous")

Sense 4
perfume, essence -- (a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor)
       => toiletry, toilet articles -- (artifacts used in making your toilet (washing and taking care of your body))