fragrance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral, with formal and commercial/informal usage.
Quick answer
What does “fragrance” mean?
A pleasant, sweet smell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pleasant, sweet smell.
A pleasant smell, especially from a flower, plant, food, or a manufactured product like perfume or soap; the quality of having such a smell.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Spelling is the same. Both use 'fragrance' and 'perfume', though 'fragrance' may be slightly more common in commercial contexts in the US.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries connotations of pleasantness, sophistication, and often luxury. In US marketing, 'fragrance' is a very common umbrella term for scented products.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to its prevalent use in consumer product labeling (e.g., 'unscented' vs. 'fragrance-free').
Grammar
How to Use “fragrance” in a Sentence
[fragrance] + of + [noun: flower, fruit, etc.] (the fragrance of roses)[verb: have, release, give off, detect] + [fragrance]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fragrance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The room was fragranced with lavender oil.
- They fragranced the candles with essential oils.
American English
- The product is fragranced with a light citrus scent.
- The company fragrances all its cleaning supplies naturally.
adverb
British English
- The soap was fragrance-ly perfumed (rare/unnatural). Typically 'scented' or 'perfumed' is used as an adjective instead.
- N/A - not standard usage.
American English
- N/A - not standard usage.
- The candle burned fragrance-ly (ungrammatical). Use 'The candle released its fragrance'.
adjective
British English
- She used a fragrance reed diffuser.
- The fragrance industry is thriving.
American English
- Look for fragrance-free lotions if you have sensitive skin.
- The fragrance notes include sandalwood and jasmine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in marketing, cosmetics, and consumer goods (e.g., 'Our new fragrance line launches in spring').
Academic
Used in botany, chemistry, and sensory studies (e.g., 'The study analysed the volatile compounds responsible for the flower's fragrance').
Everyday
Used to describe pleasant smells from nature, food, or personal care products (e.g., 'I love the fragrance of freshly baked bread').
Technical
Used in perfumery and flavour chemistry to describe a complex, composed scent (e.g., 'The fragrance pyramid consists of top, middle, and base notes').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fragrance”
- Using 'fragrance' to describe an unpleasant odour (incorrect).
- Confusing 'fragrance' (pleasant, often delicate) with 'odour' (neutral or negative).
- Overusing 'fragrance' in everyday speech where 'smell' or 'scent' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Fragrance' and 'scent' are often interchangeable for a pleasant smell, but 'fragrance' is more strongly associated with pleasantness and is common in commercial contexts. 'Scent' can be more neutral and is also used for animal traces. 'Perfume' specifically refers to a liquid cosmetic worn to give a pleasant smell, or the characteristic smell of something like a flower.
Yes, but it is less common and mainly used in commercial or manufacturing contexts (e.g., 'The shampoo is fragranced with almond oil'). In everyday language, verbs like 'scent' or 'perfume' are more natural.
It can be both. Uncountable: 'The room was full of fragrance.' Countable: 'The shop sells a variety of exotic fragrances.'
It means the product has not had any additional scent or perfume added to it. It may still have a natural smell from its ingredients, but no synthetic or added fragrance.
A pleasant, sweet smell.
Fragrance is usually neutral, with formal and commercial/informal usage. in register.
Fragrance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfreɪɡrəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfreɪɡrəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To wake and smell the fragrance of the coffee (variation on 'wake up and smell the coffee')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FRAGRANT RANGE of smells from flowers.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRAGRANCE IS AN ENTITY THAT FILLS A SPACE (The fragrance filled the room). FRAGRANCE IS A VALUABLE POSSESSION (The rose has a beautiful fragrance).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'fragrance' be LEAST appropriate?