
The word fragrance is derived from the Latin frāgrantia, which comes from the verb frāgrāre, meaning to smell sweet. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, a fragrance is a pleasant or sweet smell, especially of flowers and perfume. It can also refer to a liquid that is applied to the skin to produce a pleasant scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Word Origin | mid-17th century: from French, or from Latin fragrantia, from fragrare 'smell sweet' |
| Definition | a pleasant, sweet, delicate, or strong smell |
| Synonyms | perfume, scent, cologne, eau de toilette |
| Examples | flowers, perfumes, colognes, foods, plants |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Fragrance is a pleasant, sweet, or delicate smell
- It is often associated with flowers, perfumes, colognes, and other sweet-smelling things
- The word stems from the Latin 'fragrantia' and the verb 'fragrare', meaning 'to smell sweet'
- Fragrance is used to describe the quality of being fragrant or the strength of a scent
- The word can be used ironically to describe an unpleasant smell

Fragrance is a pleasant, sweet, or delicate smell
The word "fragrance" typically refers to a pleasant, sweet, or delicate smell. It is often used to describe the scent of flowers, perfumes, colognes, and other sweet-smelling items. The word is derived from the Latin "frāgrantia" and the verb "frāgrāre", which means "to smell sweet".
Fragrance is commonly associated with flowers, as in the phrase "the flowers are chosen for their delicate fragrance". It can also refer to the scent of something delicious, like food, although the word aroma is more commonly used in this context. For example, "the fragrance of lavender filled the room" or "the fragrance of wood smoke". Fragrance can also be used to describe the pleasant scent of something strong, like "a shrubby plant with a strong characteristic fragrance".
In the context of personal care products, a fragrance is a pleasant-smelling liquid that people apply to their bodies to make themselves smell nice. For example, "the bath oil comes in various fragrances". Fragrances in this sense are often referred to as perfumes, scents, colognes, or eau de toilettes. They are typically made from a combination of ingredients to create a unique scent, like "a new edition of the classic men's fragrance".
The word "fragrance" can also be used in a humorous or ironic way to describe a strong, unpleasant smell. For instance, "there's a strange fragrance coming from the leftovers in the fridge". Similarly, the adjective "fragrant" can be used ironically, as in "your socks are a bit fragrant". However, this usage is less common, and the word "fragrance" typically connotes something pleasant and sweet-smelling.
Soiree Scents: Crafting Fragrant Candles for Special Evenings
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It is often associated with flowers, perfumes, colognes, and other sweet-smelling things
The word "fragrance" is derived from the Latin "frāgrantia", which comes from the verb "frāgrāre", meaning "to smell sweet". It is often used to describe something with a sweet or pleasant smell, particularly flowers, perfumes, colognes, and other similar items.
Flowers are often chosen for their delicate fragrance, with certain flowers known for their strong, pleasant scent. For example, the cherry blossoms in Tokyo are described as having a sweet fragrance. Similarly, the flowers produced by certain plants are known for their strong fragrance, which can linger on warm spring days.
In the context of perfumes and colognes, "fragrance" is used to describe the liquid that is applied to the skin to make oneself smell nice. This usage is often employed to make the product sound more appealing, although it may also be used for practical reasons, such as ease of pronunciation. For instance, it is easier to say "fragrance sale" than "perfume and cologne sale".
The word "fragrance" can also be used in a more ironic or humorous way to describe a strong, unpleasant scent. For example, one might say, "There’s a strange fragrance coming from the leftovers in the fridge."
Scented Cold-Process Soaps: Adding Fragrances to Your Homemade Creations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$13.6 $19.95

The word stems from the Latin 'fragrantia' and the verb 'fragrare', meaning 'to smell sweet'
The word 'fragrance' first appeared in the English language in the 1660s, stemming from the Latin 'fragrantia' and the verb 'fragrare', which means 'to smell sweet'. The Latin word 'fragrantia' is the present participle of 'fragrare' and translates to 'sweet-smelling'.
The word 'fragrance' is typically used to refer to a pleasant or sweet smell, especially in the context of flowers, perfumes, and other things that smell nice. For example, the fragrance of lavender filling a room or the fragrance of wood smoke drifting through a village. The word is also commonly used to refer to scented liquids that are applied to the skin, such as perfumes or colognes.
In addition to its literal meaning, the word 'fragrance' can also be used in an ironic or humorous way to describe an unpleasant smell, such as something rotting in the fridge. Similarly, the adjective 'fragrant' is often used ironically to describe something that smells bad, like sweaty socks.
The word 'fragrant' has a longer history in the English language, with its first records dating back to the 1400s. Like 'fragrance', it is derived from the Latin verb 'fragrare', meaning 'to smell sweet'. The word 'fragrant' is typically used to describe things with a strong, sweet, or pleasant scent, especially flowers and perfumes.
The concept of 'fragrance' and its related words have evolved over time, with the English language borrowing from various influences, including Latin, French, Old Provençal, Italian, and Spanish. The use of the word 'fragrance' reflects the importance placed on pleasant scents and their ability to evoke emotions and enhance experiences.
The Magical World of Fragrance Juices Unveiled
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Fragrance is used to describe the quality of being fragrant or the strength of a scent
The word "fragrance" is derived from the Latin "frāgrantia", which comes from the verb "frāgrāre", meaning "to smell sweet". The first usage of the word fragrance was recorded in the 1660s. Fragrance is used to describe the quality of being fragrant or the strength of a scent.
The word fragrance typically refers to a sweet or pleasant smell, especially in the context of flowers, perfumes, and other scented items. For example, the phrase "the fragrance of lavender filled the room" describes the pleasant scent of lavender filling a room. Similarly, the phrase "the fragrance of wood smoke" describes the scent of wood smoke as it drifted through a village.
Fragrance can also refer to liquids or perfumes that are applied to the skin to enhance one's scent. For instance, a "male fragrance" is a pleasant-smelling liquid marketed towards men to improve their body odour. Fragrances can also be described as "sweet yet refined" or "heady and a little surprising".
The word fragrance is also used to describe the scent of food, although the word aroma is more commonly used in this context. Fragrance can be used ironically or humorously to refer to a strong, unpleasant scent, as in "there's a strange fragrance coming from the leftovers in the fridge".
Overall, the word fragrance is a versatile term used to describe a range of scents, from pleasant and sweet to strong and unpleasant. It is often associated with flowers, perfumes, and other fragrant items, and can also refer to liquids applied to the skin to enhance one's scent.
Cruelty-Free Scents: Raw Spirit Fragrance's Ethical Promise
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The word can be used ironically to describe an unpleasant smell
The word "fragrance" typically refers to a pleasant, sweet, or delicate smell. It is often used to describe the scent of flowers, perfumes, colognes, and other sweet-smelling things. The word is derived from the Latin "frāgrantia" and the verb "frāgrāre", which means "to smell sweet".
However, the word "fragrance" can also be used ironically or humorously to describe an unpleasant smell. While it is not the norm, using the word in this way can add a layer of sarcasm or wit to a description. For example, one might say, "There's a strange fragrance coming from the leftovers in the fridge," with a hint of irony, knowing well that the smell is anything but pleasant.
This ironic usage of the word "fragrance" is particularly effective when contrasting it with its usual association of sweetness and pleasantness. By using the word in an unexpected context, it draws attention to the unpleasant nature of the smell and can even add a touch of dark humour to the description.
Additionally, the related adjective "fragrant" can also be used ironically or humorously. For instance, one might sarcastically comment, "Your socks are quite fragrant today," implying that they smell rather unpleasant. This usage of the adjective "fragrant" is similar to the ironic use of the noun "fragrance" and serves a similar purpose of creating humour or emphasis through contrast.
In conclusion, while the word "fragrance" typically denotes something pleasant or sweet-smelling, its ironic usage to describe unpleasant smells adds a layer of wit and contrast to the description, showcasing the dynamic nature of language and our creative use of words to convey nuanced meanings.
The Scent of a Duchess: Meghan's Fragrance Choices
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Fragrance is a noun that refers to a pleasant or sweet smell, especially of flowers and perfume. The word is often used to refer to a perfume or cologne. It can also be used ironically to refer to a bad smell.
The word 'fragrance' comes from the Latin 'fragrantia' or 'frāgrāre', meaning 'to smell sweet'. The first use of the word was recorded in the 1660s.
Here are some examples of how the word 'fragrance' is used in a sentence:
- "The fragrance of lavender filled the room."
- "The flowers are chosen for their delicate fragrance."
- "The fragrance is sweet yet refined."











































