incense

1 of 3

noun

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

1

: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned

2

: the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned

broadly : a pleasing scent

3

: pleasing attention : flattery

incense

2 of 3

verb (1)

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

incensed; incensing

transitive verb

1

: to apply or offer incense to

2

: to perfume with incense

incense

3 of 3

verb (2)

in·​cense in-ˈsen(t)s 

incensed; incensing

transitive verb

1

: to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of

Her remarks so incensed them that they walked out.

2

archaic : to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused

Synonyms of incense

Noun

• scent
• fragrance
• aroma
• perfume

Verb (1)

• scent
• perfume

Verb (2)

• anger
• infuriate
• enrage

Examples of incense in a Sentence

Noun

the heavenly incense of spring flowers

count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office

Verb (1)

the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences

Verb (2)

the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are times when Beta stakes so much on the numinous that Alice’s body seems to disappear in a cloud of incense. — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

The air carried the competing scents of seafood, fruit, incense, and exhaust. — Mimi Thorisson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

Verb

According to new reporting by MPR News, police in the city of Winona, Minnesota are incensed after their entire fleet of Flock license plate readers went missing. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026

Automatic license plate readers have been an element of law enforcement for decades, but a particular brand of surveillance cameras have recently incensed public outrage and made their way into Florida’s gubernatorial race. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English encens, encence, borrowed from Anglo-French encens, borrowed from Late Latin incensum, noun derivative from neuter of Latin incensus, past participle of incendere "to set on fire, kindle," from in- in- entry 2 + -cendere "to set on fire" — more at candid entry 1

Verb (1)

Middle English encensen, borrowed from Anglo-French encenser, borrowed from Late Latin incensāre, derivative of incensum incense entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English encensen "to heat. arouse, provoke," probably borrowed from Latin incensus, past participle of incendere "to set on fire, kindle, make fiery hot, inspire, inflame, provoke" — more at incense entry 1

Note: Sources in Medieval French for this verb appear to be lacking. Evidence in British Medieval Latin is also lacking, aside from occurrence in a lexical list (the twelfth-century Liber Derivationum of Osbern of Gloucester).

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing incense

• incense cedar

Rhymes for incense

• commence
• condense
• defence
• defense
• dispense
• expense
• fourpence
• halfpence
• immense
• intense
• missense
• offence

Kids Definition

incense

1 of 2 noun

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

1

a

: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned

b

: the odor so produced

2

: a pleasing scent

incense

2 of 2 verb

in·​cense

in-ˈsen(t)s

incensed; incensing

: to make very angry