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

• 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

The aroma of this best-seller blends comforting notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

The Autumn Wreath Yankee Candle features layered scents of apple, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and woodsy notes that, when combined, create a warm, welcoming aroma that just feels like fall. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025

The fifth — and the largest — Gentle Monster Haus Nowhere concept store recently landed in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong district, and its five-story fantasy world boasts several new concepts including its first tea parlour, where the seductive power of aroma meets the mindfulness of tea culture. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025

Her 2024 Blueprint has aromas of pink grapefruit, lemon zest, and Granny Smith apple with flavors of tangerine, lemon blossom, and Fuji apple. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025

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