What does "quintessential" mean?

The fundamental essence of something.

What is a synonym for "quintessential"?

Common synonyms include: appropriate, archetypal, archetypical, best, bottom, champion.

Pronounced //ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl//.

//ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃəl// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Noun

1
The fundamental essence of something.
"A final aspect of the focus argument concerns the potential for integration to highlight the quintessentials of each subject."

Adjective

1
Of the nature of a quintessence (in all senses); being or relating to the ultimate essence of something.
"The krogan evolved in a lethal ecology. Over millions of years, the grim struggle to survive larger predators, virulent disease, and resource scarcity on their homeworld, Tuchanka, turned the lizards into quintessential survivors."

Adjective