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.

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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

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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

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verb

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

2. (tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense

incense ² British  

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

1. (tr) to enrage greatly

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Synonym Usage

See enrage.

Other Word Forms

• incensation
  noun
• incensement
  noun

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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

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

incense incensed incensing

"I have always felt something sacred here at this park," the 36-year-old told AFP recently, after burning incense near a memorial plaque.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

It’s the same pattern I found this summer in Taiwan’s temples, thick with incense and unbothered worshippers, versus the mainland faith largely dismantled in the Cultural Revolution and revived only under the party’s careful management.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 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

Together they lit some incense and munched on muffins and chips and guacamole.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026

Pong caught the scent of incense cutting through the glorious pork smell.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Officials in mediating countries said Iran’s rejection incensed them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 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

He and the government find themselves caught between an increasingly incensed public and a justice system whose magistrates and prosecutors refuse to be made scapegoats.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

He had revered the British Museum since he was a teenager and was incensed by the idea that a theft was continuing and that it was being perpetrated by a curator.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

But she remained incensed by the NSA’s 1958 raid, and she continued to press for the government to return the books and papers it had taken then.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

At the same time, two affordable housing projects have stalled, incensing advocates who say the government is leaving homeless people with few options other than leaving town or jail time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2024

"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

Shares of Twitter Inc. slid more than 4% Monday, likely incensing Twitter shareholders who filed a suit against Musk late last month for deflating the price of the stock.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 6, 2022

Ahmad announced Cameroon would have the 2021 tournament instead, incensing officials from Ivory Coast, which had already been awarded that version.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 10, 2019

Around the base of this unsightly mountain are slaughter-houses and breweries, incensing it with black smoke, and extensive pens filled with the living material of barrelled pork.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 118, August, 1867 by Various

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Related Words

• anger
• bother
• disgust
• enrage
• exasperate
• excite
• fire up
• inflame
• infuriate
• irritate
• rile

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