aroma

[ uh-roh-muh ]

noun

1. an odor arising from spices, plants, cooking, etc., especially an agreeable odor; fragrance.
2. (of wines and spirits) the odor or bouquet.
3. a pervasive characteristic or quality.

aroma

/ əˈrəʊmə /

noun

1. a distinctive usually pleasant smell, esp of spices, wines, and plants
2. a subtle pervasive quality or atmosphere

Word History and Origins

Origin of aroma¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Latin, from Greek: “spice”; replacing Middle English aromat, from Old French, from Latin arōmat- (stem of arōma )

Word History and Origins

Origin of aroma¹

C18: via Latin from Greek: spice

Synonym Study

See perfume.

Example Sentences

Floral aromas help pollinators locate their favorite plants.

From Science News

Ozone reacts with flower aroma molecules, changing their chemical structure and therefore their fragrance.

From Science News

The concentrations of three of the aroma glycosides differed across cultivar types but remained fairly similar within the same cultivar grown in the two locations.

From Science News

So the aromas of these beers are more likely to “creep” over time.

From Science News

Other researchers are finding that terroir leaves an imprint on the molecules that shape food’s aroma.

From Science News

The Hibiki 12 had the most perfumy aroma that made we want to take it to a gallery.

From The Daily Beast

“Bottled lime juice is awful and lacks the flavor and aroma of the real thing,” Zimmern says.

From The Daily Beast

The memories of a hundred business trips came roaring back as I recalled the unctuous Cinnabon aroma that wafts through airports.

From The Daily Beast

The aroma of generations of wealth—not money, not people, but wealth—wafted through each room like a cloud of rare perfume.

From The Daily Beast

The Tanqueray Rangpur gin gives a wonderful exotic aroma, and cilantro and the Thai Chang Beer finish the cocktail.

From The Daily Beast

The aroma is pleasant and mild, and to those but little acquainted with them, agreeable.

From Project Gutenberg

In the house, on the road and street, the aroma of a fragrant Manilla is ever borne on the breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

The gust of perfumed air, laden with the rich aroma of fresh-mown hay, is soothingly invigorating.

From Project Gutenberg

In many passage this preoccupation with aroma appears, surrounding with a subtle cloud all persons and things.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a mingled odour of foods, piping hot, and over all the grateful aroma from half a dozen coffee-pots.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bouquet
• odor
• perfume
• scent
• spice