Synonyms of perfume

perfume 1 of 2

noun

ˈpər-ˌfyüm 

as in scent

a sweet or pleasant smell

the perfume of fresh flowers filled the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stench
• stink
• reek
• malodor
• fetor

perfume

2 of 2

verb

(ˌ)pər-ˈfyüm 

as in to scent

to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance

roses perfumed the wedding chapel

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scent
• incense
• odorize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deodorize
• stink up

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun perfume differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perfume are fragrance, redolence, and scent. While all these words mean "a sweet or pleasant odor," perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

the perfume of lilacs

When would fragrance be a good substitute for perfume?

Although the words fragrance and perfume have much in common, fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things.

the fragrance of pine

When could redolence be used to replace perfume?

In some situations, the words redolence and perfume are roughly equivalent. However, redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors.

the redolence of a forest after a rain

How are the words scent and perfume related?

Scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation.

scent-free soaps

How does the noun perfume differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of perfume are fragrance, redolence, and scent. While all these words mean "a sweet or pleasant odor," perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

the perfume of lilacs

When would fragrance be a good substitute for perfume?

Although the words fragrance and perfume have much in common, fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things.

the fragrance of pine

When could redolence be used to replace perfume?

In some situations, the words redolence and perfume are roughly equivalent. However, redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors.

the redolence of a forest after a rain

How are the words scent and perfume related?

Scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation.

scent-free soaps

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of perfume

Noun

In January, Unilever led a $3 million seed funding round for the Indian clean perfume brand Secret Alchemist. —Hikmat Mohammed, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026

His fragrance, Three Flowers, became one of the most successful perfumes of its time. —Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

Its main entrance opens onto the bustling Via Senato, while a secondary entrance leads through Vincenzo Dascanio’s flower shop on the pedestrian Via della Spiga, perfumed with fresh blooms and lined with flagship boutiques from Dolce & Gabbana and Ralph Lauren. —Laura Itzkowitz, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026

Chinese herbal medicines still perfume the setting, which was also a dispensary in an earlier life. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026