incense
1 Americannoun
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an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc.
-
the perfume or smoke arising from such a substance when burned.
-
any pleasant perfume or fragrance.
-
homage or adulation.
verb (used with object)
-
to perfume with incense.
-
to burn incense for.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
-
any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies
-
the odour or smoke so produced
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any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma
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rare homage or adulation
verb
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to burn incense in honour of (a deity)
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(tr) to perfume or fumigate with incense
verb
Synonym Usage
See enrage.
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing incense
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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.
See Examples For:
Some viewers bathed, lit incense and garlanded their screens before the broadcast, preparing for the show much as they might for worship.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
Throngs of visitors walked in a circle around the seven-story Longhua Pagoda, holding incense and praying.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
The Guardian called the programme "the most controversial show of the year", external, and its four-star review said the documentary "will incense and offend some of its viewers", but that "Pemberton answers his questions convincingly".
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
A charcoal ceramic incense burner molded to look like a studded belt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
That night, Annabelle lies in bed and listens to the rumble of distant thunder as Saint Christopher swings over her head ominously, like a vial of incense during mass.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
He too has lost access to food stamps, and is incensed he has had to come out of retirement to work as a bus driver.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
Perloff was incensed by one letter where Holmes said she did not realize he was writing a story about her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
The filmmakers take their time revealing what long-ago crimes have so incensed Okuzaki as he more or less ambushes old comrades and superiors in their homes, confronting them with his accusations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
There was a catch: The doctor in question had no idea that funds were being solicited or contributed in her name — and she was incensed.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
She was vaguely conscious of Chacko—concerned and gentlevoiced when he was by her side—otherwise incensed, blowing like an enraged wind through the Ayemenem House.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
"The Post Office Horizon scandal is a story so incensing, outrageous and downright ugly that I found it difficult to watch," she said.
From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2024
Shares of Twitter Inc. slid more than 4% Monday, likely incensing Twitter shareholders who filed a suit against Musk late last month for deflating the price of the stock.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 6, 2022
But Girardi and Lack continued appealing for years, incensing the 9th Circuit’s chief judge and others on the court.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2021
The Bengals kicked a 38-yard field goal with 32 seconds left to avert a shutout, incensing the Ravens.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 16, 2020
Camels, mange treated with oil, camlets from wool of; white; incensing; alleged to be eaten in Madagascar; really eaten in Magadoxo; ridden in war.
From The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2 by Henry Yule
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
