fragrance

noun

fra·​grance ˈfrā-grən(t)s 

1

a

: a sweet or delicate odor (as of fresh flowers, pine trees, or perfume)

b

: something (such as a perfume) compounded to give off a sweet or pleasant odor

2

: the quality or state of having a sweet odor

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for fragrance

fragrance, perfume, scent, redolence mean a sweet or pleasant odor.

fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things.

the fragrance of pine

perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

the perfume of lilacs

scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation.

scent-free soaps

redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors.

the redolence of a forest after a rain

Examples of fragrance in a Sentence

a flower with a lovely fragrance

the fragrance of lilac trees in full bloom

Recent Examples on the Web

Alongside the designer’s signature haute couture and ready-to-wear collections, the RC Menswear brand and the youth line Just Cavalli — launched in 1998 and offering accessories, sunglasses, watches, fragrances, lingerie and swimwear — had also been born. —Pino Gagliardi, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024

The fragrance, which is infused with essential oils, is crafted with notes of crisp air, fresh laundry, and sweetened floral undertones. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

This salad looks to the Southwest for flavor, fragrance and chile heat. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024

There are many types of basil, but the strong, fresh fragrance of lemon basil (O. x citriodorum) has been known to ward off mosquitos. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024

The fragrance includes grapefruit, and mandarin orange as the top fragrance with a middle scent of sea water & juniper, then wrapping up with the amberood and musk base. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

That was more than new fragrances from Calvin Klein, Vera Wang and Juicy Couture, according to the NPD Group, a market research firm, which reported that Mr. Combs’s cologne outsold every other new fragrance that year. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

The cosmetics and fragrance customer today has many choices and brands to choose from. —Walter Loeb, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Tradition has it that the nun wanted to capture the orange fragrance from the convent gardens in her tart. —Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

fragrance

noun

fra·​grance ˈfrā-grən(t)s 

: a sweet, pleasant, and often flowery or fruity smell