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

The Red Lane Spa, which smelled of ylang-ylang and frangipani, was another highlight. —Essence, 18 Oct. 2025

It is sometimes referred to as frangipani in honor of a 16th-century Italian family by that name who manufactured a perfume with a scent resembling that of plumeria blossoms. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025

The retreat is made up of 60 villas—some with their own pools—found along winding lanes, made shady with towering palm trees and scented frangipani. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Middle notes of gardenia, jasmine, ylang ylang, and frangipani create a charmed effect that smells like stepping into an enchanted spring garden. —Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 21 July 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