Quintessential
hardkwin-tuh-SEN-shul
adjective
Definition
Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class
Examples
“He was the quintessential English gentleman.”
“This building is quintessential Art Deco architecture.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Quintessential is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "archetypal" or "definitive" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "atypical".
Related GRE Words
archetypal
Very typical of a certain kind of person or thing
epitome
A person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type
conclusive
Serving to prove a case; decisive or convincing
accomplished
Highly trained or skilled; completed successfully
ubiquitous
Present, appearing, or found everywhere
aberrant
Deviating from what is normal or expected
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