French word

essence

Pronunciation

IPA/esɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine noungas

Example

La voiture est en panne, elle n'a plus d'essence.

The car has broken down; it has run out of gas.

Illustration for essence (gas)

More examples

Je dois faire le plein d'essence avant de partir.

I have to fill up with gas before leaving.

Core concept

A clear, volatile petroleum fuel flowing from a pump into a car's tank, distinct from diesel.

Common phrases

  • faire le plein d'essence

    fill up with gas

  • mettre de l'essence

    put gas in the tank

  • prix de l'essence

    gas price

Similar words

carburant: Fuel used to power vehicle or machine engines.
gazole: A dark-colored liquid fuel for diesel engines.

Definition in French

Carburant liquide dérivé du pétrole, couramment appelé « essence » pour les voitures, opposé au gasoil.

Word origin

French essence comes from Latin essentia through Old French, while its fuel sense developed from essence meaning a volatile distilled substance, later shortened from essence de pétrole.

Usage tips

  • In the fuel sense, essence is feminine and commonly appears as de l'essence after avoir, as in avoir de l'essence.

Other meanings

  • naturenoun
  • perfumenoun

Word lists with this word