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 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 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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