fragrant

[ frey-gruhnt ]

/ ˈfreɪ grənt /

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adjective

having a pleasant scent or aroma; sweet-smelling; sweet-scented: a fragrant rose.

delightful; pleasant: fragrant memories.

OTHER WORDS FOR fragrant

1 perfumed, odorous, redolent, aromatic.

See synonyms for fragrant on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR fragrant

1 malodorous, noisome.

See antonyms for fragrant on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of fragrant

1400–50; late Middle English <Latin frāgrant- (stem of frāgrāns), present participle of frāgrāre to smell sweet

OTHER WORDS FROM fragrant

fra·grant·ly, adverbfra·grant·ness, nounnon·fra·grant, adjectiveun·fra·grant, adjective

un·fra·grant·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fragrant

flagrant, fragrant

Words nearby fragrant

fragmentized, Fragonard, fragrance, fragrance strip, fragrancy, fragrant, fragrant orchid, fragrant sumac, fraidy-cat, frail, frailero

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT FRAGRANT

What does fragrant mean?

Fragrant is most commonly used to describe things that have a pleasant scent, especially a strong one, as in These flowers are so fragrant. It can also be used to describe the scent itself.

Things that smell good are typically described as fragrant or aromatic, while things that smell bad might be described with the words smelly or stinky or the more formal terms odorous and odoriferous.

The word fragrant can also be used in a somewhat ironic or humorous way to refer to things that do not smell good, as in Your socks are a bit fragrant.

The related noun fragrance refers to a pleasant scent, especially a somewhat strong one. Fragrance is especially associated with flowers.

Example: I always look forward to springtime, when the fragrant scent of freshly bloomed flowers fills the air.

Where does fragrant come from?

The first records of the word fragrant come from the 1400s. It comes from the Latin verb frāgrāre, meaning “to smell sweet.”

Fragrant is usually used to describe things that smell sweet or pleasant, especially flowers and perfume. It can also be used to describe the scent of a delicious-smelling food (the scent of such food is perhaps more commonly called an aroma than a fragrance). Describing something that smells bad as fragrant is usually done to be funny.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fragrant?

fragrance (noun)

What are some synonyms for fragrant?

What are some words that share a root or word element with fragrant?

What are some words that often get used in discussing fragrant?

How is fragrant used in real life?

Fragrant is most often used to describe the scent of flowers, perfumes, and other things that smell nice.

One can almost smell the fragrant scent of the rhododendron surrounding the wooden walkway in this photograph from Helsinki, Finland. Have you visited? https://t.co/tePeqmTm9G pic.twitter.com/mgyOapLfD5

— DeviantArt (@DeviantArt) March 30, 2018

fresh basil is so fragrant. pic.twitter.com/IyuyNdXIDS

— Lydia🌹 (@misLYDiA_) September 7, 2020

"I've never seen lovelier light, heard more melodious birdsong, or inhaled more naturally fragrant air than on those fall mornings amid the vines". By @ecogallego #EnvironmentalCommunicator https://t.co/pEleb5sN2X pic.twitter.com/MhevH8H1PM

— Familia Torres Wines (@TorresWines) September 15, 2020

Try using fragrant!

Which of the following things could be described as fragrant?

A. perfume
B. flowers
C. herbs
D. all of the above

How to use fragrant in a sentence

Grilled lobster was as wonderful for its kale-streaked spoonbread as the seafood, sweet-smoky with a “Johnny’s spice” that ran 20 ingredients long and resembled a more fragrant Old Bay.
We lost Johnny’s Half Shell to the pandemic. After 20 years, it deserves a farewell toast.|Tom Sietsema|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
Toast, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
An aromatic chicken soup to restore the body and revive the spirit|Olga Massov|January 7, 2021|Washington Post
In a small, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pistachios, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes.
Figs stuffed with goat cheese are the low-effort, high-flavor appetizer you need|Ellie Krieger|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
As horticulturalists know, a rose by any other name consists of hundreds of different volatiles and miscellaneous fragrant notes.
What Did the Past Smell Like? - Issue 93: Forerunners|Ann-Sophie Barwich|December 9, 2020|Nautilus

Place the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven 8 to 10 minutes, or until fragrant, shaking halfway through.
These chewy, date- and walnut-packed bars are called ‘food for the gods’ with good reason|Isa Fabro|December 2, 2020|Washington Post
How a 1,000-year-old fragrant elixir traveled over continents and time to become the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby.
The Storied Origins of the Classic Mint Julep|Dane Huckelbridge|May 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The now creamy polenta was ladled onto the plates, and this most fragrant of deep brown chicken stews spooned on top.
Two Chickens, an Old Guitar, and a Group of Strangers: A Life-Changing Feast in Brazil|Annabel Langbein|November 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even today, dog meat—euphemistically called “fragrant meat”—is still consumed in many rural areas.
China’s Dog-Dyeing Craze: Once Shunned, Pet Pooches Now Embraced|Melinda Liu|July 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The air was alive with the spirit of the place, fragrant and humid, and humming with energy.
The Strange Heritage of Columbus Day|Laurence Bergreen|October 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Plus a spoonful of the juicy salsa for a fragrant tomato and chili hit.
Foods That We Love But Shouldn’t|Lydia Brownlow|July 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
When she returned with the frothy and fragrant beverage he was standing with his hands in his pockets staring down at the city.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
These cigars are usually pressed, and burn well, leaving a dark-colored ash, and emitting a fragrant odor.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Some of the most beautiful and fragrant tobacco fields in the world are to be found in Syria.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
In the house, on the road and street, the aroma of a fragrant Manilla is ever borne on the breeze.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Jess laid the dog down on a bed of moss as she spoke, and started energetically to scoop up piles of the fragrant needles.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner

British Dictionary definitions for fragrant

fragrant

/ (ˈfreɪɡrənt) /

adjective

having a pleasant or sweet smell

Derived forms of fragrant

fragrantly, adverb

Word Origin for fragrant

C15: from Latin frāgrāns, from frāgrāre to emit a smell

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

fragrant

OTHER WORDS FOR fragrant

OPPOSITES FOR fragrant

Origin of fragrant

OTHER WORDS FROM fragrant

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fragrant

Words nearby fragrant

MORE ABOUT FRAGRANT

What does fragrant mean?

Where does fragrant come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is fragrant used in real life?

Try using fragrant!

Words related to fragrant

How to use fragrant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fragrant

Derived forms of fragrant

Word Origin for fragrant