frankincense
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of frankincense
First recorded in 1350–1400, frankincense is from Middle English fraunk encense. See frank 1, incense 1
Explanation
Frankincense is a substance valued for its fragrant smell. While frankincense may make you think of Christmas and the three wise men, it has been used in a variety of cultures, contexts, and religions. Frankincense comes from the gum of a Middle Eastern tree. So does myrrh, the other offering made to Jesus in the Nativity story, which is where you are most likely to have heard of frankincense. Frankincense has been used in several religious traditions, including that of the ancient Egyptians. The first part of this word is related to the modern adjective frank, which means “direct and unreserved.”
Vocabulary lists containing frankincense
Joy To The Word: Christmas Terms
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The Picture of Dorian Gray
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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.
The Three Wise Men may have struggled for a third gift if they were shopping today—and not because of a bull market in frankincense and myrrh.
From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025
After the death of Abiyah, they kept his body inside their home for eight days, before embalming the body using frankincense and myrrh prior to a ritualistic burial in their garden.
From BBC • Dec. 12, 2024
Eventually, he settled on the eight most frequently mentioned: desert dates, Yemeni Sidr honey, sycamore figs, Israeli golden raisins, prickly juniper berries, carob fruit, black cumin and frankincense.
From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2024
It’s called Ma Nishtana by Parfum Prissana, with notes of frankincense, labdanum, saffron, rose, smoke and leather.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2024
Amid this confusion, porters darted everywhere, loading boats with tobacco, figs, frankincense, silk, and mohair.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
