perfume

[pur-fyoom, per-fyoom, 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)

perfumed, perfuming 

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 Word Forms

• perfumeless adjective
• perfumy adjective
• unperfumed 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

It also offers warehouse-style display shelves packed with goods like lip balm, perfume, false nails and foot cream.

From BBC

The chief executive of Pride in London has been suspended while under internal investigation for allegedly bullying a disabled volunteer and using vouchers donated by a sponsor to buy luxury perfumes.

From BBC

Just a week earlier, in trial runs, perfumes were piped into the air so people could get a whiff of the Emerald City.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to hosting perfume making and lipstick reading — which is like tarot card reading, but with lipstick — the store gave away an advance copy of “By Invitation Only.”

From Los Angeles Times

A loose-fingered sprinkle that collapsed into the pot like dried pine needles, instantly perfuming the steam.

From Salon

Related Words

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