redolent

adjective red·o·lent \ ˈre-də-lənt \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of redolent

1 : exuding fragrance : aromatic

2 a : full of a specified fragrance : scented

air redolent of seaweed

b : evocative, suggestive

a city redolent of antiquity

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redolently

adverb

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Examples of redolent in a Sentence

my grandmother's house always seemed to be redolent with the aroma of baking bread

Recent Examples of redolent from the Web

Along with the events of her daily life, Heti records dreams that are redolent with cryptic symbolism, and reports the results of an impromptu tarot reading, reproducing the lurid images of the cards themselves.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Sheila Heti Wrestles with a Big Decision in “Motherhood”," 30 Apr. 2018
The shifts and overlays become redolent metaphors of home and displacement.

— jason farago, New York Times, "10 Galleries to Visit Now Around SoHo and TriBeCa," 26 Apr. 2018
Grilled pork, a mainstay of banh mi and bun, might be the most familiar of the meats that go with the com tam, and it’s excellent – a bit sweet and savory, redolent of black pepper and grilled to smoky, tender perfection.

— kate washington, sacbee, "Dining review: Get your ‘broken rice’ fix at South Sacramento Com Tam Dat Thanh | The Sacramento Bee," 9 Feb. 2018
Picchetti Leslie’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 ($89.95): Verdant and savory, the Leslie’s Estate Cabernet is redolent of fir needles, pine sap, fresh mint, cassis and salt and pepper.

— bryce wiatrak, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tasting Notes: The wines of Montebello Road," 28 Feb. 2018
The deviled egg has become a retro-redolent item nowadays.

— tim smith, baltimoresun.com, "Interesting menu, enjoyable view at Ampersea," 22 Mar. 2018
There was a timelessness in the moment that felt heavily redolent of García Márquez’s not-so-fictitious world of Macondo.

— jon lee anderson, Condé Nast Traveler, "Stepping Beyond Cartagena: Exploring Colombia's Northern Reaches," 21 Mar. 2018
It’s restorative and redolent with the aromas of the sea.

— jeanmarie brownson, chicagotribune.com, "2 do-ahead fish soup bases make for easy dinner parties — just add garnishes at the end," 6 Feb. 2018
This is all too redolent of Vietnam, but in this case, who will rebuild?

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 19 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'redolent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Redolent traces back to the Latin verb olēre ("to smell") and is a relative of "olfactory" ("of, relating to, or connected with the sense of smell"). In its earliest English uses in the 15th century, "redolent" simply meant "having an aroma." Today, it usually applies to a place or thing impregnated with odors. It can also be used of something that reminds us of something else or evokes a certain emotional response, as in "a city redolent of antiquity."

Origin and Etymology of redolent

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin redolent-, redolens, present participle of redolēre to emit a scent, from re-, red- + olēre to smell — more at odor

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

redolent Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of redolent

odorous, fragrant, redolent, aromatic mean emitting and diffusing scent. odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant.