ambergris

noun

am·ber·gris | \ ˈam-bər-ˌgris

, -ˌgrē(s) \

Definition of ambergris

: 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 Fittingly, the scent by perfumer Daniela Andrier heads in an unexpected direction with green tangerine, vanilla, purses, and Amberfix, a synthetic ambergris note merging into a surreal blend that takes the idea of perfume and turns it on its head. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Spring’s Best Fragrances Are Big on Personality," 8 Apr. 2021 With striking notes of jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, and ambergris Baccarat Rouge 540 sits at the perfect intersection of light and airy yet intense and musky. — Tatjana Freund, Marie Claire, "Beauty Editors on Their Signature Winter Fragrances," 30 Oct. 2020 Today, ambergris is only found in one of about 100 sperm whales, and their population is in steady decline. — Kate Sullivan, refinery29.com, "Women Invented Perfume — Now, They’re Taking It Back," 20 Mar. 2020 Apart According to the outlet, local government officials will find Boonrith later this month to determine if the mass is, in fact, ambergris and to figure out how much the lump may be worth. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, "Thailand Garbage Collector Finds Smelly Mass that Could Be Whale Vomit Worth Over $100,000," 14 Nov. 2019 The cologne, with notes of grapefruit, marine accord, and ambergris, is available now. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "Nick Youngquest on the Smell of a Men’s Locker Room and Seaweed," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ambergris.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

23 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Ambergris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambergris. Accessed 14 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for ambergris

ambergris

noun

am·ber·gris | \ ˈam-bər-ˌgris

, -ˌgrē(s)

Medical Definition of ambergris

: 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