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 of fragrance

• scent
• aroma
• perfume
• fragrancy

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

Malone founded fragrance brand Jo Malone London in 1990 and sold it to the Estée Lauder Companies nine years later — along with the rights to use her name in any business. —Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 23 Nov. 2025

For the following two weeks my kitchen was filled with the warm fragrances of Thanksgiving—cinnamon and nuts, fresh herbs and winter fruit, brown sugar and honey. —Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2025

Nigel Barker shows off The Barker Company's Espresso Martini and Cappuccino Martini fragrances in partnership with Olfactory NYC. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025

To give your home's fragrance an extra boost, choose cleaning products with scents like lavender or citrus fruits. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2025

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