ambience

noun

am·​bi·​ence ˈam-bē-ən(t)s 

ˈäm-bē-än(t)s

variants or ambiance

: 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.

Synonyms

• aroma
• smell
• flavor
• aura
• atmosphere

Examples of ambience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With its historic charm, artistic flare and coastal beauty, visitors love strolling its timeless streets and taking in the Pacific waterfront ambience. —Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025

Against the backdrop of a minimal orchestral ensemble, just strings, brass and percussion, Doldinger used early synthesizers to create a sonic soundscape evoking sonar pulses, engine drones and the metallic ambience inside the World War 2 U-boat. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025

Witch-burning, frightening folklore, and centuries of war and bloodshed have imparted an unsettling ambience in destinations like Edinburgh. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025

Upon entering the Rockefeller Center flagship, the customer is welcomed by an atmosphere warmed by soft neutral tones, residential decor cues and an open, airy ambience. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for ambience

• ambiance

Kids Definition

ambience

noun

am·​bi·​ence

variants or ambiance

ˈam-bē-ən(t)s  ˈäm-bē-än(t)s 

: a feeling or mood that is related to a particular place, person, or thing