perfume

American  

[pur-fyoom, per-fyoom, per-fyoom, pur-fyoom] / ˈpɜr fyum, pərˈfyum, pərˈfyum, ˈpɜr fyum /

noun

1. a substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell, especially a fluid containing fragrant natural oils extracted from flowers, woods, etc., or similar synthetic oils.

   Synonyms:

   incense, scent, attar, essence

2. the scent, odor, or volatile particles emitted by substances that smell agreeable.

   Antonyms:

   stench

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verb (used with object)

perfumed, perfuming

1. (of substances, flowers, etc.) to impart a pleasant fragrance to.

2. to impregnate with a sweet odor; scent.

perfume British  

noun

1. a mixture of alcohol and fragrant essential oils extracted from flowers, spices, etc, or made synthetically, used esp to impart a pleasant long-lasting scent to the body, stationery, etc See also cologne toilet water

2. a scent or odour, esp a fragrant one

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verb

1. (tr) to impart a perfume to

Related Words

Perfume, aroma, fragrance all refer to agreeable odors. Perfume often indicates a strong, rich smell, natural or manufactured: the perfume of flowers. Fragrance is usually applied to fresh, delicate, and delicious odors, especially from growing things: fragrance of new-mown hay. Aroma is restricted to a somewhat spicy smell: the aroma of coffee.

Other Word Forms

• perfumeless adjective
• perfumy adjective
• unperfumed adjective

Etymology

Origin of perfume

First recorded in 1525–35; earlier parfume (noun), from Middle French parfum, noun derivative of parfumer (verb), from obsolete Italian parfumare (modern profumare ). See per-, fume

Example Sentences

Don eventually remarried and had three more kids, but he held on to a big box of Cynthia’s clothes and other keepsakes, including a lock of hair and bottle of her perfume.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

In February, Puig cautioned that it expects growth in the fragrance market to level off this year following a boom of perfume sales after the pandemic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

"I'm from Syria, I've lived through war so missiles and drones don't scare me," said a young perfume seller.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

The achievements come despite lukewarm reviews for the record, with The Telegraph saying it had "all the emotional heft of a perfume advert".

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

"And when it comes to making perfume, you have to work in sterile conditions so you don't contaminate the product."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• aroma
• bouquet
• incense
• odor
• oil
• smell
• spice