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

• attar
• otto
• balm
• bouquet
• fragrance
• fragrancy
• incense
• perfume
• redolence
• scent
• spice

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

Rich fruit and mature aromas intermingle with undertones of coconut and marzipan. —Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Spread the aroma throughout your entire home with the brand’s best-selling candle, which was inspired by the fragrance. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2024

The process is simple: Cook butter in a light-colored skillet over moderate heat until the water evaporates, the milk solids toast, and the butter has a faint nutty aroma and a caramel color. —Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024

Engineers experimented with sugars and enzymes, tweaking the formula so that beer could be brewed at low enough temperatures to retain its flavor and aroma; AB InBev also developed its own technology to mimic the aromas of beer. —Byvivienne Walt, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

: a noticeable and usually pleasant smell

the aroma of coffee