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

A little lighting can also go a long way toward adding ambience and safety after dark, from a stylish wall lantern (now 87% off) to shatterproof LED string lights that don’t require a plug-in. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2026

Kreigh Spring Welcome Porch Sign Create a warm ambience with this welcome sign that props up against your front door. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

Nineteen years on, however, the dwelling, which had the Tuscan ambience of a Cheesecake Factory, appeared as dated as the show’s premise. —Hadley Hall Meares, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026

The ambience, Cook said, is Casablanca. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 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