ambergris
noun
am·ber·gris
ˈam-bər-ˌgris 
-ˌgrē(s)
: a waxy substance found floating in or on the shores of tropical waters, believed to originate in the intestines of the sperm whale, and used in perfumery as a fixative
Examples of ambergris in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Leather, ambergris and cashmere mix effortlessly with tuberose, salt and monoi oil for a fantastic aromatic experience.
—
Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022
Imagination was composed by Louis Vuitton’s master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, who conceived of the international array of notes as a way to pay homage to ambrox, a humane alternative to the alluring ingredient ambergris.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 June 2021
Cypress wood, essence of coriander, cedarwood and ambergris accord are the notes that turn the fragrance into a lavish forest scent.
—Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022
The finest ambergris develops an incomparably lovely, sweet, musky odor that seems to combine perfume, the sea, and some primordial animal scent.
—Mallory Locklear, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2014
The delicate top notes of cedrat and ginger mix with a sensual base of Le Labo’s trademark ambergris, musk, and wood.
—Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Sep. 2022
For another gentle but capable option, try the Laundress’s new Summer Fridays offering ($25), which is dermatologist tested and free of petroleum, phthalates and parabens — and smells of oak moss, sweet water, jasmine and warm ambergris.
—Tilly MacAlister-Smith Angela Koh Angela Koh Aliza Abarbanel Arden Fanning Andrews, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2022
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Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022
Imagination was composed by Louis Vuitton’s master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, who conceived of the international array of notes as a way to pay homage to ambrox, a humane alternative to the alluring ingredient ambergris.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 June 2021
Cypress wood, essence of coriander, cedarwood and ambergris accord are the notes that turn the fragrance into a lavish forest scent.
—Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022
The finest ambergris develops an incomparably lovely, sweet, musky odor that seems to combine perfume, the sea, and some primordial animal scent.
—Mallory Locklear, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2014
The delicate top notes of cedrat and ginger mix with a sensual base of Le Labo’s trademark ambergris, musk, and wood.
—Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Sep. 2022
For another gentle but capable option, try the Laundress’s new Summer Fridays offering ($25), which is dermatologist tested and free of petroleum, phthalates and parabens — and smells of oak moss, sweet water, jasmine and warm ambergris.
—Tilly MacAlister-Smith Angela Koh Angela Koh Aliza Abarbanel Arden Fanning Andrews, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ambergris.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Ambergris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambergris. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
ambergris
noun
am·ber·gris
ˈam-bər-ˌgris
-ˌgrēs
: a waxy substance from the sperm whale that is used to make perfumes
Medical Definition
ambergris
noun
am·ber·gris
ˈam-bər-ˌgris
-ˌgrē(s)
-ˌgrē(s)
: a waxy substance found floating in or on the shores of tropical waters, believed to originate in the intestines of the sperm whale, and used in perfumery as a fixative
More from Merriam-Webster on ambergris
Nglish: Translation of ambergris for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ambergris
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