# essay

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɛs.eɪ/ · frequency rank #4,854

## Definitions
1. A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.
2. A test, experiment; an assay.
3. An attempt.
4. A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote.

## Etymology
Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay, essai (“essay”), meaning coined by Montaigne at the same time, from the same words with the earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay, essai, assay, assai, from Latin exagium (“weight; weighing, testing on the balance”), from exigere + -ium.

## Easily confused with
- **esse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/essay-vs-esse)
- **Essex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/essay-vs-essex)
- **Essen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/essay-vs-essen)
- **essays** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/essay-vs-essays)
- **SA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/essay-vs-sa)
- **ESA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/esa-vs-essay)
- **easy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easy-vs-essay)
- **eBay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ebay-vs-essay)
- **Elsa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elsa-vs-essay)
- **Esau** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/esau-vs-essay)
- **ese** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ese-vs-essay)

## Common misspellings (4)
`esasy`, `essayy`, `essya`, `sesay`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/essay