Synonyms of aroma

aroma

noun

ə-ˈrō-mə 

1

as in scent

a sweet or pleasant smell

I love the aroma of bread baking in the oven

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scent
• fragrance
• fragrancy
• perfume
• bouquet
• incense
• balm
• spice
• attar
• otto
• redolence
• essence
• odor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stench
• stink
• reek
• malodor
• fetor

2

as in smell

the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose

the ripe aroma of a sweatshirt that's in dire need of laundering

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scent
• smell
• stench
• fragrance
• sniff
• odor
• redolence
• perfume
• fragrancy
• whiff
• savour
• attar
• otto
• bouquet
• lusciousness
• funk
• rankness
• spice
• malodor
• musk
• rancidity
• aromaticity
• fetor
• tang
• savoriness
• savor
• incense
• ambrosia
• stink
• foulness
• reek
• gaminess
• acridness
• fetidness
• noisomeness
• odorousness
• odoriferousness

3

as in aura

a special quality or impression associated with something

the aroma of wealth and privilege that pervades the manicured confines of the country club

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aura
• smell
• atmosphere
• air
• flavor
• odor
• ambiance
• ambience
• mood
• sense
• feel
• climate
• feeling
• patina
• halo
• karma
• temper
• nimbus
• vibration(s)
• note
• romance
• mystique
• characteristic
• image
• sensation
• aureole
• spirit
• property
• aureola
• tone
• trait
• illusion
• attribute
• peculiarity
• overtone
• notion
• genius loci
• semblance
• color
• character
• suggestion
• picture
• mark

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aroma contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aroma are odor, scent, and smell. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

How are the words odor and smell related as synonyms of aroma?

Odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

In what contexts can scent take the place of aroma?

Although the words scent and aroma have much in common, scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

When is smell a more appropriate choice than aroma?

While the synonyms smell and aroma are close in meaning, smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of aroma

The whiskey features aromas of toasted nuts, café mocha, and vanilla. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

Balancing different spirits, syrups, and mixers is what will distinguish a superb drink with nuanced flavors and aromas from a concoction that tastes like something banned by the Geneva Convention. —Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2025

When choosing heirlooms, don’t squeeze these delicate fruits; enlist your olfactory and sniff for a deep fragrant aroma. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025

While most people find cilantro to have a fresh, citrusy flavor, others may perceive the aroma and flavor of cilantro as pungent and bitter. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 21 July 2025