Is 'perfumery' the same as 'perfume'?

No. 'Perfume' is the product (the liquid scent). 'Perfumery' is the craft of making it, the industry, or the place where it is made/sold.

Can I say 'a perfumery' to mean a perfume shop?

Yes, that is a correct, though somewhat formal or traditional, usage. More common modern terms are 'perfume shop' or 'fragrance counter'.

What is a person who works in perfumery called?

A perfumer or a 'nose' (especially a master perfumer).

Is 'perfumery' a common word?

It is a low-frequency, specialized word. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'making perfume' or 'perfume shop'.

Is “perfumery” formal?

Perfumery is usually formal, technical in register.

How do you pronounce “perfumery”?

Perfumery: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈfjuːməri/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈfjuməri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

perfumery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/pəˈfjuːməri/US/pərˈfjuməri/

Formal, Technical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “perfumery” mean?

The art and process of making perfume.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The art and process of making perfume.

A place or business where perfumes are made, blended, or sold; the products of this industry collectively.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. Spelling 'perfumery' is universal.

Connotations

Equally formal in both varieties; may evoke a more traditional, artisanal craft in British usage, while American usage can also strongly associate with the commercial beauty industry.

Frequency

Low frequency word in both varieties, used in specific commercial or historical contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “perfumery” in a Sentence

[noun] of perfumerywork in perfumerystudy perfumery

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

traditional perfumeryart of perfumeryperfumery businessmaster of perfumery

medium

study perfumeryworks in perfumeryworld of perfumeryperfumery ingredients

weak

ancient perfumeryluxury perfumeryFrench perfumeryperfumery shop

Examples

Examples of “perfumery” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

The perfumery arts are highly regarded in Grasse.
She had perfumery skills passed down through generations.

American English

He took a perfumery course online.
The exhibit featured historical perfumery tools.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

The luxury perfumery sector saw a 5% growth last quarter.

Academic

Her thesis explores the influence of the Ottoman Empire on European perfumery.

Everyday

We visited a lovely little perfumery in the old town.

Technical

Gas chromatography is a fundamental tool in modern analytical perfumery.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “perfumery”

Strong

aromachology (related, more technical)perfume house

Neutral

perfume makingfragrance creation

Weak

scent creationfragrance industry

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “perfumery”

deodorant manufacturingmalodour

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “perfumery”

Using 'perfumery' as a countable noun for a single bottle of perfume (incorrect: 'I bought a nice perfumery'; correct: 'I bought a nice perfume').

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. 'Perfume' is the product (the liquid scent). 'Perfumery' is the craft of making it, the industry, or the place where it is made/sold.
: Yes, that is a correct, though somewhat formal or traditional, usage. More common modern terms are 'perfume shop' or 'fragrance counter'.
: A perfumer or a 'nose' (especially a master perfumer).
: It is a low-frequency, specialized word. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'making perfume' or 'perfume shop'.
: The art and process of making perfume.
: Perfumery is usually formal, technical in register.
: Perfumery: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈfjuːməri/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈfjuməri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“The nose of perfumery (refers to a master perfumer's skill).”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

PERfume + fiCErY (like 'bakery' but for perfume) = PERFUMERY.

Conceptual Metaphor

PERFUMERY IS ALCHEMY (transforming raw materials into something precious and evocative).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After studying chemistry, she decided to pursue a career in .

Multiple Choice

What is the primary meaning of 'perfumery'?