incense
1 Americannoun
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an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc.
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the perfume or smoke arising from such a substance when burned.
-
any pleasant perfume or fragrance.
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homage or adulation.
verb (used with object)
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to perfume with incense.
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to burn incense for.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies
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the odour or smoke so produced
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any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma
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rare homage or adulation
verb
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to burn incense in honour of (a deity)
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(tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense
verb
Synonym Usage
See enrage.
Other Word Forms
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”); see also 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; see incense 1
Explanation
Incense means both "to make angry" and a stick that burns slowly and emits a strong smell. If your new college roommate burns incense in your tiny dorm room, you might get incensed and storm out. How can a word that means a substance that is burned for its sweet odor come to mean "make very angry"? Both have to do with the idea of burning, and the Latin root incendere, "to set on fire." A stick of incense must be lit, or set on fire to release its smell. When you are incensed by something, such as your teacher slamming you with homework on the night of the prom, you feel like you are burning with anger.
Vocabulary lists containing incense
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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.
See Examples For:
The practice echoes the burning of incense in Buddhist rituals, though pine's sharp natural scent makes it stand out from the aromatic powders used in joss sticks.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
They pulled tiny candles from pouches and lighted them, burned incense, dropped coins in the offering box and prayed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
The Guardian called the programme "the most controversial show of the year", external, and its four-star review said the documentary "will incense and offend some of its viewers", but that "Pemberton answers his questions convincingly".
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
A charcoal ceramic incense burner molded to look like a studded belt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
Marshall came first, carrying the smoking incense burner.
From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
He too has lost access to food stamps, and is incensed he has had to come out of retirement to work as a bus driver.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
Perloff was incensed by one letter where Holmes said she did not realize he was writing a story about her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
Many survivors of that day’s attacks are incensed, regarding the mass demolition of the damaged houses as an act of erasure, or vandalism against memory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
There was a catch: The doctor in question had no idea that funds were being solicited or contributed in her name — and she was incensed.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
Kingshaw stared at him, incensed by the unfairness of the remark, unable to say anything at all to counter it.
From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill
"The Post Office Horizon scandal is a story so incensing, outrageous and downright ugly that I found it difficult to watch," she said.
From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2024
After the new flavor became popular and sold out, however, boxes started being resold on platforms such as eBay at marked-up prices, incensing the Girl Scouts organization.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2023
Their bond remained so close that the two had a standing weekly lunch at the White House, incensing fellow Cabinet members.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 8, 2022
But Girardi and Lack continued appealing for years, incensing the 9th Circuit’s chief judge and others on the court.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2021
Camels, mange treated with oil, camlets from wool of; white; incensing; alleged to be eaten in Madagascar; really eaten in Magadoxo; ridden in war.
From The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2 by Henry Yule
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
