essentially
UK: ɪˈsen.ʃəl.i | US: ɪˈsen.ʃəl.i
adv. in a basic or fundamental way
adv. used to emphasize the most important aspect of something
The word "essentially" derives from the Latin "essentia" (being, essence), which itself comes from "esse" (to be). The suffix "-ly" is an Old English adverbial marker. Combined, "essentially" originally meant "in a manner pertaining to the core nature of something." Over time, it evolved to emphasize fundamental qualities or serve as a discourse marker for simplification.
The two theories are essentially the same, despite minor differences.
She was essentially responsible for the project's success.
This tool is essentially a simplified version of the professional model.
His argument was essentially correct but lacked supporting evidence.
The process remains essentially unchanged after centuries of use.