fragrant

adjective

fra·​grant ˈfrā-grənt 

: having a sweet or pleasant smell

fragrantly adverb

Synonyms of fragrant

• aromatic
• scented

Choose the Right Synonym for fragrant

odorous, fragrant, redolent, aromatic mean emitting and diffusing scent.

odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant.

odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped

fragrant applies to things (such as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable odors.

a fragrant rose

redolent applies usually to a place or thing impregnated with odors.

the kitchen was redolent of garlic and tomatoes

aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh odors.

an aromatic blend of tobaccos

Examples of fragrant in a Sentence

The soup was fragrant with herbs and spices.

the balsam fir is a favorite as a Christmas tree because it is so fragrant

Recent Examples on the Web

Sweetspire is a medium to large shrub that offers fragrant white flowers in sausagelike clusters and red fall leaf color. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Toast ½ cup raw pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, 13–17 minutes. — Matt Lewis, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026

Prune this plant frequently to encourage the growth of highly fragrant leaves and minimize self-seeding. — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2026

The wings are savory, fragrant, and mildly spicy, with a subtle numbing sensation from the peppercorns that adds depth without overpowering the dish. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin fragrant-, fragrans, from present participle of fragrare to be fragrant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fragrant

• flagrant
• vagrant

Kids Definition

fragrant

adjective

fra·​grant ˈfrā-grənt 

: having a sweet or agreeable smell

fragrantly adverb