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
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The transformation began with that aroma.—Aisha Muharrar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025 The nose is captivating with aromas of brown sugar, caramel corn, and vanilla mingle with wood and a hint of cherry.—Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025 Focus on the aroma, colors, and textures of the food on your plate.—Violeta Valdés, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025 The brand has also assured PEOPLE that the HoJo’s Original Fried Clam Soap does in fact resemble the original dish, with the lemon and butter aromas shining through.—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aroma
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
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