fragrancy
Americannoun
-
fragrancies
plural
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
Etymology
Origin of fragrancy
First recorded in 1570–80
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:
Sample: "The sidewalk flower stands exuding such clouds of heavy perfume that their owners should be arrested for fragrancy."
From Time Magazine Archive
What advantage hath the rose in its fragrancy, if it cannot smell itself?
From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Hugh Binning
It seemed to them that the horror of the night was passed, and there was a fragrancy in the air which was wonderfully refreshing.
From The Magician by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
The rind yields an oil of great fragrancy.
From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Thomas Jefferson Ritter
The Rosemary is a well-known, sweet-scented shrub, cultivated in our gardens, and herb beds on account of its fragrancy and its aromatic virtues.
From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by William Thomas Fernie
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
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
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
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