frangipani

noun

fran·​gi·​pa·​ni ˌfran-jə-ˈpa-nē 

-ˈpä-

variants or less commonly frangipanni

plural frangipani also frangipanni

1

: a perfume derived from or imitating the odor of the flower of a frangipani (Plumeria rubra)

2

: any of a genus (Plumeria) of shrubs or small trees of the dogbane family that are native to the American tropics and widely cultivated as ornamentals

Examples of frangipani in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the heart is a luminous frangipani accord. —Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026

The lush and meticulously kept 12-acre property bursts with bougainvillea and frangipani, meeting the impossibly white sand of the island's Platinum Coast. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025

Gardens are filled with shade-giving palms and fragrant frangipani, the beach is soft and powdery, and the poolside cabanas are perfect for mindless lounging. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Dec. 2025

The pineapple and frangipani add this tropical brightness that makes Afterglow feel sunnier and more playful in the opening, while still settling into that same warm, cozy drydown. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Italian frangipane, from Muzio Frangipane, 16th century Italian nobleman

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for frangipani

• castellani
• hindustani
• afghani
• fulani
• romani
• azerbaijani
• bonnie
• bonny
• brawny
• connie
• johnnie
• johnny

Kids Definition

frangipani

noun

fran·​gi·​pa·​ni

variants also frangipanni

ˌfran-jə-ˈpan-ē 

-ˈpän-

plural frangipani also frangipanni

: any of several shrubs or small trees that have thick fleshy branches and large fragrant waxy-looking white, yellow, red, or pink flowers and are native to the American tropics but are grown elsewhere for their beauty