fragrant

[ frey-gruhnt ]

adjective

1. having a pleasant scent or aroma; sweet-smelling; sweet-scented:

   a fragrant rose.

   Synonyms: aromatic, redolent, odorous

   Antonyms: noisome, malodorous

2. delightful; pleasant:

   fragrant memories.

fragrant

/ ˈfreɪɡrənt /

adjective

1. having a pleasant or sweet smell

Derived Forms

• ˈfragrantly, adverb

Other Words From

• fragrant·ly adverb
• fragrant·ness noun
• non·fragrant adjective
• un·fragrant adjective
• un·fragrant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fragrant¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin frāgrant- (stem of frāgrāns ), present participle of frāgrāre to smell sweet

Word History and Origins

Origin of fragrant¹

C15: from Latin frāgrāns , from frāgrāre to emit a smell

Example Sentences

Grilled lobster was as wonderful for its kale-streaked spoonbread as the seafood, sweet-smoky with a “Johnny’s spice” that ran 20 ingredients long and resembled a more fragrant Old Bay.

From Washington Post

Toast, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

From Washington Post

In a small, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pistachios, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes.

From Washington Post

As horticulturalists know, a rose by any other name consists of hundreds of different volatiles and miscellaneous fragrant notes.

From Nautilus

Place the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven 8 to 10 minutes, or until fragrant, shaking halfway through.

From Washington Post

How a 1,000-year-old fragrant elixir traveled over continents and time to become the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby.

From The Daily Beast

The now creamy polenta was ladled onto the plates, and this most fragrant of deep brown chicken stews spooned on top.

From The Daily Beast

Even today, dog meat—euphemistically called “fragrant meat”—is still consumed in many rural areas.

From The Daily Beast

The air was alive with the spirit of the place, fragrant and humid, and humming with energy.

From The Daily Beast

Plus a spoonful of the juicy salsa for a fragrant tomato and chili hit.

From The Daily Beast

When she returned with the frothy and fragrant beverage he was standing with his hands in his pockets staring down at the city.

From Project Gutenberg

These cigars are usually pressed, and burn well, leaving a dark-colored ash, and emitting a fragrant odor.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the most beautiful and fragrant tobacco fields in the world are to be found in Syria.

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

Jess laid the dog down on a bed of moss as she spoke, and started energetically to scoop up piles of the fragrant needles.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aromatic
• delicious
• perfumed
• savory
• spicy
• sweet

More About Fragrant

What does fragrant mean?

Fragrant is most commonly used to describe things that have a pleasant scent, especially a strong one, as in These flowers are so fragrant. It can also be used to describe the scent itself.

Things that smell good are typically described as fragrant or aromatic, while things that smell bad might be described with the words smelly or stinky or the more formal terms odorous and odoriferous.

The word fragrant can also be used in a somewhat ironic or humorous way to refer to things that do not smell good, as in Your socks are a bit fragrant. 

The related noun fragrance refers to a pleasant scent, especially a somewhat strong one. Fragrance is especially associated with flowers.

Example: I always look forward to springtime, when the fragrant scent of freshly bloomed flowers fills the air.

Where does fragrant come from?

The first records of the word fragrant come from the 1400s. It comes from the Latin verb frāgrāre, meaning “to smell sweet.”

Fragrant is usually used to describe things that smell sweet or pleasant, especially flowers and perfume. It can also be used to describe the scent of a delicious-smelling food (the scent of such food is perhaps more commonly called an aroma than a fragrance). Describing something that smells bad as fragrant is usually done to be funny.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fragrant?

• fragrance (noun)

What are some synonyms for fragrant?

• aromatic
• perfumed

What are some words that share a root or word element with fragrant? 

• fragrant orchid
• fragrant sumac

What are some words that often get used in discussing fragrant?

• scent
• smell
• flower
• bouquet
• sweet
• perfume
• cologne
• odor

How is fragrant used in real life?

Fragrant is most often used to describe the scent of flowers, perfumes, and other things that smell nice.

One can almost smell the fragrant scent of the rhododendron surrounding the wooden walkway in this photograph from Helsinki, Finland. Have you visited? https://t.co/tePeqmTm9G pic.twitter.com/mgyOapLfD5

— DeviantArt (@DeviantArt) March 30, 2018

fresh basil is so fragrant. pic.twitter.com/IyuyNdXIDS

— Lydia🌹 (@misLYDiA_) September 7, 2020

"I've never seen lovelier light, heard more melodious birdsong, or inhaled more naturally fragrant air than on those fall mornings amid the vines". By @ecogallego #EnvironmentalCommunicatorhttps://t.co/pEleb5sN2X pic.twitter.com/MhevH8H1PM

— Familia Torres Wines (@TorresWines) September 15, 2020

 

 

Try using fragrant!

Which of the following things could be described as fragrant?

A. perfume
B. flowers
C. herbs
D. all of the above