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
The museum’s collection includes centuries-old books and a bottle of ambergris (a substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales), as well as elaborations on perfume’s long history.
—
Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 4 July 2025
Patchouli, iris, vanilla, ambergris and musk bring the French capital to life.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Daisy is a warm blend of ambergris and sandalwood, while Cowboy is an outdoorsy combo of ambergris and leather.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 4 Dec. 2023
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
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Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 4 July 2025
Patchouli, iris, vanilla, ambergris and musk bring the French capital to life.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Daisy is a warm blend of ambergris and sandalwood, while Cowboy is an outdoorsy combo of ambergris and leather.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 4 Dec. 2023
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
Cite this Entry
“Ambergris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambergris. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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