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Synonyms

incense

1 American  
[in-sens] / ˈɪn sɛns /

noun

  1. an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc.

  2. the perfume or smoke arising from such a substance when burned.

  3. any pleasant perfume or fragrance.

  4. homage or adulation.

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing

  1. to perfume with incense.

  2. to burn incense for.

verb (used without object)

incensed, incensing

  1. to burn or offer incense.

incense 2 American  
[in-sens] / ɪnˈsɛns /

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing

  1. to inflame with wrath; make angry; enrage.

    Synonyms:
    irritate, provoke, exasperate, anger
incense 1 British  
/ ˈɪnsɛns /

noun

  1. any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies

  2. the odour or smoke so produced

  3. any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma

  4. rare homage or adulation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to burn incense in honour of (a deity)

  2. (tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
incense 2 British  
/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

  1. (tr) to enrage greatly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See enrage.

Other Word Forms

  • incensation noun
  • incensement noun

Etymology

Origin of incense1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English encens, incens, from Old French encens, from Late Latin incēnsum, literally, “something kindled,” neuter of incēnsus (past participle of incendere “to set on fire”); incendiary

Origin of incense2

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English incensen, ensensen “to fumigate, burn incense,” from Old French encenser, from Latin incēnsus; incense 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As the air filled with the scent of incense and music, L.A. resident Leneta Antoine-Wood held a sign that read “ICE out of Tovaangar,” a reference to the Indigenous people of the Los Angeles Basin.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

Photos showed her praying while holding incense sticks and comforting bereaved people near displayed names and portraits of at least two soldiers.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

It’s beat up and old, and smells like incense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

It smells of incense inside and we light a candle.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2025

In this place there is a fragrance of incense and the whispers of all the faithful who have ever entered.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.