musk

noun

ˈməsk

: a substance with a penetrating persistent odor obtained from a sac beneath the abdominal skin of the male musk deer and used as a perfume fixative

also : a similar substance from another animal or a synthetic substitute

: the odor of musk

also : an odor resembling musk especially in heaviness or persistence

: any of various plants with musky odors

especially : musk plant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The fresh scent feels like a sweet caress of powdery musks that swells with emotive blooms like jasmine and freesia. —

ELLE, 1 Aug. 2023 Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte, $235 (70 ml); nordstrom.com Maison Francis Kurkdjian is a master at making unique scents like this innovative aroma which has notes of bergamot, verbena, sweet fennel and a woody musk accord. —

Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 22 June 2023 The fragrance is further enhanced with a creamy bourbon vanilla that blends seamlessly with a bed of soft white musk, creating an addictive and velvety comfort. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2023 In the base notes, there is a sandalwood-white musk accord. —

Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023 On the external label, her abstract black-and-white composition mimics a wash of calligraphy ink; on the inside, a landscape scene details ingredients within the scent, including sesame, mimosa flower, and musk. —

April Long, Town & Country, 20 Mar. 2023 Calvin Klein Ck One Eau De Toilette A refreshing, unisex blend of bergamot, cardamom, pineapple, jasmine, and musk. —

Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 July 2023 Other notes include Lebanese Neroli and Italian Mandarin, as well as amber and balsam tones of myrrh and benzoin and vanilla and musk notes. —

Allyson Portee, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023 But the findings show that maintaining the populations of reef sharks, gray wolves, wildebeest, sea otters, musk oxen, and ocean fish, along with growing the populations of African forest elephants, American bison, and baleen whales, could capture 6.41 gigatons of carbon per year. —

Devika Rao, The Week, 28 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'musk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muske, from Middle French musc, from Late Latin muscus, from Late Greek moschos, from Middle Persian *mušk-, from Sanskrit muṣka testicle, from diminutive of mūṣ mouse; akin to Old English mūs mouse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of musk was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century