ambience

noun

am·​bi·​ence ˈam-bē-ən(t)s How to pronounce ambience (audio)
ˈäm-bē-än(t)s
variants or ambiance
Synonyms of ambience
: a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing : atmosphere
The restaurant's soft music and candlelight gave it a romantic ambience.

Examples of ambience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Domestic tourists had come to appreciate its hummocky beaches, quaint islands, and rich maritime culture, not to mention its easygoing ambience. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 By suppressing this continuity between the natural and the supernatural realms, Nolan omits much of what makes the Homeric age so different, including the ambience of the divine and the distinctive moral realm that goes with it. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Invest in comfy seating, hang string lights to create ambience, and add plants for visual interest. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026 There are lots of art galleries and cafés, lines of stallholders grilling fish and a wonderfully relaxed ambience as well as a medina that is small enough to explore independently. Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambience

Word History

Etymology

in part from ambi(ent) entry 1 + -ence, in part borrowed from French ambiance (from ambiant "ambient" + -ance -ance)

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ambience was in 1648

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ambience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambience. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

ambience

noun
am·​bi·​ence
: a feeling or mood that is related to a particular place, person, or thing

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