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

The second focuses on Dior’s perfumes and the third on the floral presence in his fashions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 20-year-old, from Tottenham, London, was part of a shoplifting gang and would clear shelves of cosmetics and perfumes while another member of her team acted as look-out, according to police.

From BBC

Featuring thousands of miniature bags, dresses, perfume bottles and more, the Colorama installation reminded me of being on Avenue Montaigne during fashion week.

From Los Angeles Times

A fire at a perfume warehouse in north-western Turkey has killed six people.

From BBC

A blaze erupted at a perfume warehouse in northwestern Turkey early Saturday, killing six people and injuring one, the regional governor said.

From Barron's

Related Words

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