Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

perfume

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of perfume

a sweet or pleasant smell
  • The perfume of fresh flowers filled the room.
Synonyms of perfume

aroma, balm, bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, incense, redolence, scent, spice
Words Related to perfume

essence, odor
Antonyms of perfume

reek, stench, stink

Synonym Discussion of 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

perfume

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of perfume

to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance
  • Roses perfumed the wedding chapel.
Synonyms of perfume

incense, scent
Near Antonyms of perfume

deodorize
Antonyms of perfume

stink up

Learn More about perfume

  1. See words that rhyme with perfume Dictionary: Definition of perfume Spanish Central: Translation of perfume Nglish: Translation of perfume for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perfume for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about perfume

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up perfume? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

loath

play

unwilling or reluctant

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. symbiote 'an organism living in symbiosis'

  2. charlatan 'faker or fraud'

  3. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  4. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  5. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5adf93a49b0b2
The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf
‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c
'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
Bee Cubed
Bee Cubed

Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.

Play the game