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

Dry stone walls are perfumed with tumbles of pink roses.

From Literature

Founded in 1969, The Original Factory Shop sells a wide range of branded products including fashion, perfumes and toiletries.

From BBC

It is strange to be out this early, but the familiar scent of almond sweets that perfumes our town calms me.

From Literature

In the third quarter, the leather-goods division grew 13%, but sales of products such as watches and perfume declined from a year ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Green cardamom adds perfume to both sweet and savory dishes.

From Salon

Related Words

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