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 of ambience

• aura
• atmosphere
• smell
• aroma
• air

Examples of ambience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The trio of orange, brown, and gold leaves can be set along the table’s center to bolster ambience. — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Indelman, a veteran collaborator with New York restaurateurs like Andrew Tarlow and Gabe Stulman, was tasked with giving the space a utilitarian, high-tech ambience. — Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026

Premiere is also getting new sound editing tools that help to quickly clean up messy recordings and separate various audio sources — including dialogue, music, ambience, and sound effects — into individual tracks and elements. — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 10 Nov. 2026

Extend your next holiday gathering around this wood-burning patio fire table pit, which adds warmth and ambience to your outdoor space for less than $80. — Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2026

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