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

See Examples For:

fragrancy fragrancies

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

From Time Magazine Archive

A fragrancy of humble verity in the middle of all royal or other ostentations; inexorable, quiet protest against cant, done with such simplicity: Sophie Charlotte's symbolic pinch of snuff.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 01 by Thomas Carlyle

Still the odor of his merits had left a fragrancy upon the recollection of the elder pupils.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 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 Hugh Binning

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 Hugh Binning

What blooms here, Filling the honeyed atmosphere With faint, delicious fragrancies, Freighted with blessed memories?

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 15, No. 88, April, 1875 by Various

I have imagined that our welfare is   Required to rise triumphant from defeat;   And so the musk, which as the more you beat, Gives ever more delightful fragrancies.

From The Diwan of Abu'l-Ala by Henry Baerlein

A slow wind, spice-laden with the faint, crisp fragrancies of the desert, swung her to a sweet rhythm.

From Success A Novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams

This delicate instrument was as savoury as its mistress, amongst the various fragrancies which it emitted, garlic seemed to have the mastery.

From The Stranger in France or, a Tour from Devonshire to Paris Illustrated by Engravings in Aqua Tint of Sketches Taken on the Spot. by Sir John Carr