perfume

1 of 2

noun

per·​fume ˈpər-ˌfyüm  (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüm 

1

: the scent of something sweet-smelling

2

: a substance that emits a pleasant odor

especially : a fluid preparation of natural essences (as from plants or animals) or synthetics and a fixative used for scenting

perfume

2 of 2

verb

per·​fume (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüm 

ˈpər-ˌfyüm

perfumed; perfuming

transitive verb

: to fill or imbue with an odor

Synonyms of perfume

Noun

• scent
• fragrance
• aroma

Verb

• scent

Choose the Right Synonym for perfume

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 perfume in a Sentence

Noun

She smelled the different perfumes at the store.

the perfume of fresh flowers filled the room

Verb

The meal included a delicate fish perfumed with butter and herbs.

a time when it was common for men to perfume their hair

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If cave paintings tell the stories of the earliest human life, factices — the once-ubiquitous oversized perfume bottle replicas — play a similar role in revealing the histories of fragrance. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Ritual gifts include incense, flowers, perfume, cosmetics and soap, which Hor said are believed to bring beauty and charm after being blessed by the cowherd and seven maidens. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Mosses and lichens filled the hollows, while yellowish dead man’s fingers — a spooky and thus aptly named fungus — curled among low-growing rhododendrons that perfumed the air with warm, woody notes. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Part of the exhibit is interactive, including a recreation of a Mexican-American family home and the garlic that would perfume the foods of a typical meal. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French perfum, probably from Old Occitan, from perfumar to perfume, from per- thoroughly (from Latin) + fumar to smoke, from Latin fumare, from fumus smoke — more at fume

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1546, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perfume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

perfume

1 of 2 noun

per·​fume ˈpər-ˌfyüm  (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüm 

1

: the scent of something usually sweet-smelling

2

: a substance that gives off a pleasant odor

especially : a liquid containing fragrant oils (as from flowers) mixed with alcohol and applied to the body to give it a pleasant odor

perfume

2 of 2 verb

per·​fume (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüm 

ˈpər-ˌfyüm

perfumed; perfuming

: to fill with a pleasing odor (as of flowers)