essayist

noun

es·​say·​ist ˈe-ˌsā-ist How to pronounce essayist (audio)
Synonyms of essayistnext
: a writer of essays

Examples of essayist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Baggott, who also writes under two pen names, is a bestselling novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet who has written more than 20 books. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026 Merrill Markoe is an Emmy-winning comedy writer, author, and essayist. Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026 May Teng is an Indonesian-American writer and essayist based in Brooklyn. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026 Meg Bernhard is a journalist and essayist based in Las Vegas. Hazlitt, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for essayist

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of essayist was in 1601

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Cite this Entry

“Essayist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essayist. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

essayist

noun
es·​say·​ist ˈes-ˌā-əst How to pronounce essayist (audio)
: a writer of essays

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