fragrance

noun

fra·​grance ˈfrā-grən(t)s How to pronounce fragrance (audio)
1
a
: a sweet or delicate odor (as of fresh flowers, pine trees, or perfume)
b
: something (such as a perfume) compounded to give off a sweet or pleasant odor
2
: the quality or state of having a sweet odor
Choose the Right Synonym for fragrance

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 fragrance in a Sentence

a flower with a lovely fragrance the fragrance of lilac trees in full bloom
Recent Examples on the Web On a recent morning, the fragrance of cooking rice drew a group of adults and teenage boys to a sidewalk near a building where aid workers prepared meals to distribute to shelters elsewhere in the city. CBS News, 16 Mar. 2024 Jenner previously collaborated with her sister Kim Kardashian on the fragrance KKW x KYLIE in 2019. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 As the fragrance dries down, a bergamot and rose base exudes a light powdery moment. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024 Below 60°’s sleek plug-in fragrance diffusers have three scent settings (high, standard, and off), and the fragrance refill cartridges each last up to 30 days. Lauren Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2024 The fragrance is available in 30-, 50- and 100-milliliter refillable bottles; refills; and travel-sized pen sprays. Ayesha Rajan, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 The final fragrance is named Cedar Sport, which has notes of cedarwood. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 The perfumer believes that fragrance helps to truly understand the essence of a character. Susan Griffin, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Luckily, soon everyone can, thanks to a new Hollywood Sign fragrance being launched March 8 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the town’s most famous monument. Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fragrance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fragrance was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near fragrance

Cite this Entry

“Fragrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragrance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fragrance

noun
fra·​grance ˈfrā-grən(t)s How to pronounce fragrance (audio)
: a sweet, pleasant, and often flowery or fruity smell

More from Merriam-Webster on fragrance

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