perfume

[ noun pur-fyoom, per-fyoom; verb per-fyoom, pur-fyoom ]

noun

1. a substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell, especially a fluid containing fragrant natural oils extracted from flowers, woods, etc., or similar synthetic oils.

   Synonyms: incense, scent, attar, essence

2. the scent, odor, or volatile particles emitted by substances that smell agreeable.

   Antonyms: stench

verb (used with object)

, per·fumed, per·fum·ing.

1. (of substances, flowers, etc.) to impart a pleasant fragrance to.
2. to impregnate with a sweet odor; scent.

perfume

noun

1. a mixture of alcohol and fragrant essential oils extracted from flowers, spices, etc, or made synthetically, used esp to impart a pleasant long-lasting scent to the body, stationery, etc See also cologne toilet water
2. a scent or odour, esp a fragrant one

verb

1. tr to impart a perfume to

Other Words From

• perfume·less adjective
• perfum·y adjective
• unper·fumed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfume¹

First recorded in 1525–35; earlier parfume (noun), from Middle French parfum, noun derivative of parfumer (verb), from obsolete Italian parfumare (modern profumare ). See per-, fume

Word History and Origins

Origin of perfume¹

C16: from French parfum, probably from Old Provençal perfum, from perfumar to make scented, from per through (from Latin) + fumar to smoke, from Latin fumāre to smoke

Synonym Study

Perfume, aroma, fragrance all refer to agreeable odors. Perfume often indicates a strong, rich smell, natural or manufactured: the perfume of flowers. Fragrance is usually applied to fresh, delicate, and delicious odors, especially from growing things: fragrance of new-mown hay. Aroma is restricted to a somewhat spicy smell: the aroma of coffee.

Example Sentences

The attempted murders were followed by the death of Dawn Sturgess, 44, in July of that year, after she was exposed to the chemical weapon which was left in a discarded perfume bottle.

From BBC

An alluring, distinctly Angeleno perfume, if I’ve ever smelled one.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, scam adverts claimed to offer the £350 advent calendar from perfume and beauty brand Jo Malone for just £30.

From BBC

Ms Sturgess died on 8 July 2018 after being exposed to the nerve agent, which was left in a discarded perfume bottle.

From BBC

It was concealed inside a perfume bottle which had been found by her partner and given to her a gift.

From BBC

Related Words

• aroma
• bouquet
• incense
• odor
• oil
• smell
• spice