aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

1

a

: a distinctive, pervasive, and usually pleasant or savory smell

the aroma of freshly-baked bread

broadly : odor

b

: the odor of a wine imparted by the grapes from which it is made

The wine has a fruity aroma.

2

: a distinctive quality or atmosphere : flavor

the sweet aroma of success

Synonyms of aroma

• scent
• fragrance
• fragrancy

Choose the Right Synonym for aroma

smell, scent, odor, aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense.

smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

Examples of aroma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These highly reactive products form rapidly, leading to significant oxidative damage, substantial browning, and off-flavors and aromas. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Nov. 2026

Brewing in clay helps maintain aroma longer, and the valve into the base of the dripper allows more gentle oxygenation according to Alfaro. — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026

Their Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee is a Bordeaux-style blend and has aromas of black cherry, red raspberry, tobacco leaf, and crushed violet petals with silky tannins and flavors of blueberry, mocha, and cinnamon. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026

Those compounds break down over time, so the aroma becomes much gentler. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aromat "fragrant substance, as a spice or ointment," borrowed from Anglo-French aromat, aromant "balm," borrowed from Latin arōmat-, arōma "fragrant substance, spice," borrowed from Greek arōmat-, árōma, of obscure origin

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for aroma

• diploma
• fibroma
• glaucoma
• glioma
• lipoma
• lymphoma
• myoma
• myxoma
• neuroma
• paloma
• schwannoma
• scotoma

Kids Definition

aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

: a noticeable and usually pleasant smell

the aroma of coffee