fragrancy

American  

[frey-gruhn-see] / ˈfreɪ grən si /

noun

fragrancies plural

1. fragrance.

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Usage

What does fragrancy mean? Fragrancy is a much less common word for fragrance—a pleasant scent, especially a somewhat strong one. Fragrancy is especially associated with flowers. The scent of something that smells good is typically called a fragrance or an aroma, while the scent of something that smells bad is typically called an odor. However, fragrance is sometimes used in a somewhat ironic or humorous way to refer to a scent that is strong and not good, as in There’s a strange fragrance coming from the leftovers in the fridge. In the same way, the related adjective fragrant is most commonly used to describe things that have a strong, pleasant scent, as in These flowers are so fragrant. However, the word can also be used in a somewhat ironic or humorous way, as in Your socks are a bit fragrant. Fragrancy can also be used to refer to the quality of being fragrant, as in This plant food claims to increase the flowers’ level of fragrancy. The word fragrance can also refer to a perfume or cologne, as in We have a wide selection of fragrances, but fragrancy is not used this way. Example: I always look forward to springtime, when the fragrancy of freshly bloomed flowers is in the air.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• fragrancies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fragrancy

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Sample: "The sidewalk flower stands exuding such clouds of heavy perfume that their owners should be arrested for fragrancy."

From Time Magazine Archive

For poetry is the blossom and the fragrancy of all human knowledge, human thoughts, human passions, emotions, language.'

From Aspects of Literature by Murry, J. Middleton

Now, what a base nature, what abominable and brutish spirits must possess men, that they apprehend a sweetness and fragrancy in these corrupt and stinking works of the old man!

From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Binning, Hugh

As Pinckney said, Affections were as thoughts to her, the measure of her hours— Her feelings had the fragrancy and freshness of young flowers.

From The International Monthly, Vol. II, No. I December 1, 1850 by Various

Every one of them gives some peculiar fragrancy to it, as humility, faith, repentance, love, &c.

From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Binning, Hugh