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

The barbecue aroma filled the parking lot as the long wait had fans more than ready to watch the Chiefs take the field. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

The Temple Oud Hair Perfume is billed as a rich, woody-floral aroma designed to linger all day. — Caché McClay, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Catering to the woody, spicy scent-loving crowd, the punchy citrus base layered in with spice notes creates an aroma that’s light but also layered according to Lee. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026

Hemmed in by a refinery, LAX and miles of factories and warehouses, El Segundo was once a working-class neighborhood better known for its aroma than its lifestyle. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 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