incense

¹ American  

[in-sens] / ˈɪn sɛns /

noun

1. an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc.

2. the perfume or smoke arising from such a substance when burned.

3. any pleasant perfume or fragrance.

4. homage or adulation.

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verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing

1. to perfume with incense.

2. to burn incense for.

verb (used without object)

incensed, incensing

1. to burn or offer incense.

incense ² American  

[in-sens] / ɪnˈsɛns /

verb (used with object)

incensed, incensing

1. to inflame with wrath; make angry; enrage.

   Synonyms:

   irritate, provoke, exasperate, anger

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incense ¹ British  

/ ˈɪnsɛns /

noun

1. any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies

2. the odour or smoke so produced

3. any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma

4. rare homage or adulation

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verb

1. to burn incense in honour of (a deity)

2. (tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense

incense ² British  

/ ɪnˈsɛns /

verb

1. (tr) to enrage greatly

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Related Words

See enrage.

Other Word Forms

• incensation
  noun
• incensement
  noun

Etymology

Origin of incense¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English encens, incens, from Old French encens, from Late Latin incēnsum, literally, “something kindled,” neuter of incēnsus (past participle of incendere “to set on fire”); see also incendiary

Origin of incense²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English incensen, ensensen “to fumigate, burn incense,” from Old French encenser, from Latin incēnsus; see incense ¹

Explanation

Incense means both "to make angry" and a stick that burns slowly and emits a strong smell. If your new college roommate burns incense in your tiny dorm room, you might get incensed and storm out. How can a word that means a substance that is burned for its sweet odor come to mean "make very angry"? Both have to do with the idea of burning, and the Latin root incendere, "to set on fire." A stick of incense must be lit, or set on fire to release its smell. When you are incensed by something, such as your teacher slamming you with homework on the night of the prom, you feel like you are burning with anger.

Example Sentences

Light a candle or a bit of incense.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

Just days later, anger surged once more after the death of Aisha Umar, a mother of five who ran a business from home, selling incense and fish in the northern city of Kano.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

With incense hanging in the air, and sunlight illuminating gold-painted biblical murals on the cathedral walls, the priest urged mourners to help others, too.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

It’s beat up and old, and smells like incense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

Candles flickered on a small altar, and the woody smell of incense floated in the air.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Related Words

• anger
• bother
• disgust
• enrage
• exasperate
• excite
• fire up
• inflame
• infuriate
• irritate
• rile