Dictionary.com

perfume

[ noun pur-fyoom, per-fyoom; verb per-fyoom, pur-fyoom ]
/ noun ˈpɜr fyum, pərˈfyum; verb pərˈfyum, ˈpɜr fyum /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR perfume

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.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.
Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

ANTONYMS FOR perfume

2 stench.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR perfume

synonym study for perfume

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM perfume

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

Words nearby perfume

performance test, performative, performing, performing arts, perf. part., 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, sweetness, attar, balminess, eau de cologne

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