April 13, 2026
quintessential
/ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃ(ə)l/adjective
Being the clearest and most typical example of something.
Example sentences
- “A picnic in the park is the quintessential summer afternoon.”
- “With its yellow cabs and crowded sidewalks, the street was the quintessential New York scene.”
From 'quintessence', the fifth element of medieval philosophy, purer than earth or fire. Now a fancy way to say most perfectly typical.