In the context of fragrance, cloying is used to describe a scent that is overly sweet and rich, to the point of being unpleasant and overwhelming. It implies an excess of something that might otherwise be pleasing in smaller doses, evoking feelings of disgust, distaste, or aversion. Cloying fragrances are often described as sickly sweet, syrupy, or nauseating. The term is typically associated with strong, sweet perfumes that some people might find overpowering or irritating.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Initial impression | Pleasurable or sweet |
Overall impression | Excessive, overwhelming, irritating, annoying, sickening, heavy, dense, nauseating, disgusting, distasteful, unbearably sweet, sickly, too much, too sentimental |
Intensity | Strong, powerful |
Longevity | Long-lasting |
What You'll Learn
'Cloying' means a fragrance is overwhelmingly sweet
The word "cloying" is used to describe something that is overwhelmingly sweet, heavy, dense, and sickening. It is never used in a positive context and implies a nauseating amount of something that might be pleasing in smaller doses. In the context of fragrance, a cloying scent is one that is so strong, you can almost taste it in your mouth. It is a scent that overwhelms your senses and leaves you feeling like you cannot escape it.
Cloying fragrances are often rich in sweet, patchouli, and powder notes. The sensation of wearing a cloying perfume can be described as being wetly smothered, unable to take a proper breath, and having something caught in the back of your throat. It is a feeling of being overwhelmed by the fragrance to the point of disgust.
When a fragrance is described as cloying, it means that the scent is excessively sweet and rich. It is a term used to convey that a perfume is overly strong and leaves the wearer feeling suffocated and unable to escape the scent.
The word "cloying" comes from the Old French "encloyer," which means "to drive a nail into." This origin points to the idea of something being forced upon you, which aligns with the feeling of being overwhelmed by a cloying fragrance.
In summary, when a fragrance is described as cloying, it means that the scent is overwhelmingly and excessively sweet. It is a term used to convey that a perfume is overly strong and leaves the wearer feeling suffocated by the scent.
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It can also mean a scent is too strong
The word "cloying" is used to describe a scent that is too strong and overwhelming. It is often associated with perfumes that are excessively sweet, heavy, dense, and sickening. The term is derived from the Old French word "encloyer," which means "to drive a nail into." This origin provides a vivid image of how a cloying scent can feel like it is piercing or penetrating your senses.
When a fragrance is described as cloying, it means that it is overpowering to the point of being unpleasant. It is not just about the strength of the scent but also how it makes one feel. A cloying fragrance can evoke a sense of being smothered, unable to breathe, or having something caught in the back of the throat. It is as if the scent is so strong that you can taste it in your mouth.
The definition of cloying implies a nauseating amount of something that might be pleasing in smaller doses. For example, a cloying perfume can have an excessive amount of sweetness, richness, or sentiment that becomes wearying and irritating. The scent may be initially enjoyable, but due to its intensity, it can quickly become cloying and cause distaste or disgust.
Cloying fragrances are often described as having sweet, patchouli, and powder notes. These perfumes are rich and heavy, with a cloying scent that lingers and refuses to go away. It is important to note that the perception of a cloying fragrance can vary from person to person, as some people may enjoy strong and sweet perfumes. However, the term "cloying" is generally used negatively to describe a scent that is too intense and overwhelming.
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It can be used to describe a scent that is sickly
The word "cloying" is used to describe something that is overwhelming or unpleasant due to an excess of something that would otherwise be enjoyable. In the context of fragrances, a cloying scent is one that is excessively sweet, heavy, dense, and nauseating. It gives the sensation of being smothered, unable to breathe, and having something caught in the back of the throat. Perfumes with rich, sweet, patchouli, and powder notes are often described as cloying.
Cloying fragrances can be unbearably sweet, with a syrupy, sickly sweetness that is difficult to get rid of even when washed off. They can be so strong that you can almost taste them in your mouth, and they make you feel like you cannot smell anything else. The scent becomes overwhelming and all-pervasive, leaving you with the urge to escape or get a breath of fresh air.
The word "cloying" comes from the verb "cloy," which means "to supply or indulge to excess." It is derived from the Old French "encloyer," which means "to drive a nail into." The term is often used to describe an aroma that is sweet, heavy, and sickening, and it is never used in a positive context.
When a fragrance is described as cloying, it means that it is overly sweet, rich, or sentimental to the point of being irritating or annoying. It causes distaste or disgust by supplying too much of something that would otherwise be pleasant. The scent may be strong and long-lasting, but its cloying nature makes it unpleasant and overwhelming.
Cloying fragrances can be overpowering and suffocating, leaving a strong impression that is difficult to escape. They can evoke feelings of nausea, disgust, and aversion. The sweetness or richness of the scent becomes excessive, leading to a sense of sickness or heaviness.
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'Cloying' is never used in a positive context
The word "cloying" is used to describe something that is overwhelmingly unpleasant due to an excess of something that would otherwise be enjoyable. In the context of fragrances, a cloying scent is one that is overpoweringly sweet, heavy, dense, and sickening.
Cloying is a negative term that describes an aroma that is unpleasantly excessive, causing a sensation of being smothered and unable to breathe properly. It is often used to characterise perfumes that are rich in sweet, patchouli, and powder notes.
When used to describe fragrances, cloying implies a nauseating amount of sweetness or richness. It conveys the feeling of being unable to escape the overwhelming scent, which can lead to a physical reaction such as coughing or gagging.
In summary, cloying is never used in a positive context when discussing fragrances. It is a term that describes an unpleasant, excessive, and overwhelming sensory experience, specifically referring to fragrances that are overly sweet, rich, or dense.
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It can be used to describe a scent that is too sentimental
The word "cloying" is used to describe something that is overly sentimental or sweet. It is often used in the context of fragrances and perfumes, describing a scent that is too strong, overwhelming, and sickly sweet.
When something is cloying, it causes a feeling of distaste or disgust due to an excess of something that is usually pleasant. In the case of fragrances, a cloying scent can be so overpowering that it is hard to escape and can even cause physical discomfort, such as a coughing or gagging sensation.
For example, a cloying perfume may be described as having a cloying sweetness or a cloying scent that is too heavy and dense. The word conveys a sense of being smothered by the fragrance, making it hard to breathe and causing an unpleasant physical reaction.
While the term is often associated with sweet fragrances, it can also be used to describe other types of scents that are overly strong or rich. Some people may find certain perfumes cloying due to their heavy sillage, which refers to the trail or waft of the perfume that lingers in the air.
In summary, a cloying scent is one that is excessively sentimental or sweet, causing a feeling of distaste due to its overwhelming nature. It is a term used to describe fragrances that are unpleasant due to an excess of something that may otherwise be enjoyable in smaller doses.
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Frequently asked questions
"Cloying" means something that is initially pleasant but becomes overwhelming due to excess. It is often used to describe fragrances that are too sweet and rich, leading to a feeling of disgust or distaste.
"Cloying" is negative because it implies that a fragrance is excessively strong, sweet, or rich, to the point of causing nausea or headaches. It suggests that the scent is overpowering and difficult to escape.
A cloying fragrance is one that you want to escape from but can't. It's when the scent is so strong that you can almost taste it, and it's difficult to smell anything else. It leaves an impression of being too much, too sweet, or too rich.
Some people may find certain perfumes with strong, sweet notes, such as vanilla, gourmand, or powdery florals, to be cloying. Fragrances with excessive sillage (the trail of scent left behind) can also be considered cloying.
To avoid cloying perfumes, look for fragrances that are described as "fresh," "light," or "subtle." Samples or testers can help you determine if a particular scent is too strong or sweet for your taste.