perfume

[ noun pur-fyoom, per-fyoom; verb per-fyoom, pur-fyoom ]
/ noun ˈpɜr fyum, pərˈfyum; verb pərˈfyum, ˈpɜr fyum /
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noun

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

verb (used with object), per·fumed, per·fum·ing.

(of substances, flowers, etc.) to impart a pleasant fragrance to.
to impregnate with a sweet odor; scent.

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Origin of perfume

1525–35; earlier parfume (noun) < Middle French parfum, noun derivative of parfumer (v.) < obsolete Italian parfumare (modern profumare). See per-, fume

SYNONYMS FOR perfume

1 essence, attar, scent; incense.
2 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.
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OTHER WORDS FROM perfume

per·fume·less, adjectiveper·fum·y, adjectiveun·per·fumed, adjective

Words nearby perfume

performance test, performance-enhancing, performative, performing, performing arts, perfume, perfumer, perfumery, perfunctory, perfusate, perfuse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to perfume

oil, bouquet, odor, incense, aroma, smell, spice, balm, sachet, essence, cologne, fragrance, redolence, attar, balminess

Example sentences from the Web for perfume

British Dictionary definitions for perfume

perfume

noun (ˈpɜːfjuːm)

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, etcSee also cologne, toilet water
a scent or odour, esp a fragrant one

verb (pəˈfjuːm)

(tr) to impart a perfume to

Word Origin for perfume

C16: from French parfum, probably from Old Provençal perfum, from perfumar to make scented, from per through (from Latin) + fumar to smoke, from Latin fumāre to smoke
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012