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.
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any pleasant perfume or fragrance.
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homage or adulation.
verb (used with object)
-
to perfume with incense.
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to burn incense for.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies
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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
Inside Out & Back Again
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Christmas Carol Vocab: A Lyrical Lexicon
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Seedfolks
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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:
They pulled tiny candles from pouches and lighted them, burned incense, dropped coins in the offering box and prayed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
It’s the same pattern I found this summer in Taiwan’s temples, thick with incense and unbothered worshippers, versus the mainland faith largely dismantled in the Cultural Revolution and revived only under the party’s careful management.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 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
Mourners took turns gently pouring water over a hand of the deceased while others lit incense sticks and folded their hands in prayer.
From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026
Four or five paragraphs were devoted to detailing the theater design—Oriental deities, minarets, hanging rugs, burning incense.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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
The blonde executive assistant to the president was then mentioned by a Democratic senate hopeful, in comments that set the internet alight -- and incensed the White House.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 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
Some fans are incensed at what they call "fence-sitting".
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
“She was busy,” said the woman, incensed by such a stupid comment.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
"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
After the new flavor became popular and sold out, however, boxes started being resold on platforms such as eBay at marked-up prices, incensing the Girl Scouts organization.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2023
The closure severely curtails access to the beloved winter recreation destination, incensing Washington’s outdoors community and spurring it to action.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 8, 2023
Their bond remained so close that the two had a standing weekly lunch at the White House, incensing fellow Cabinet members.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 8, 2022
It was a Benediction of nature, a genuflection of trees and flowers, singing in the wind, incensing with their perfume the sacred Bread which shone on high, in the flaming custody of the planet.
From En Route by J.-K. (Joris-Karl) Huysmans
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.
