redolence

American  

[red-l-uhns] / ˈrɛd l əns /

Also redolency

noun

1. the quality of having a pleasant odor; fragrance.

   The lingering redolence of her perfume filled the air.

2. the quality of smelling like a certain thing (usually used withof ).

   This Pinot Noir has a smoky, savory, and slightly earthy aroma with a redolence of sweet plum and guava.

3. the quality of being suggestive or reminiscent of a certain person or thing, as of someone’s style, work, etc. (usually used withof ).

   Towards the end of the first movement the music takes on a scorching redolence of Shostakovich.

---

Etymology

Origin of redolence

First recorded in 1425–75; redol(ent) ( def. ) + -ence ( def. )

Explanation

Redolence is the way something smells. You might pause on your way to school to enjoy the redolence of the blooming rose bush on your street. It’s always good to stop and smell the roses! The word redolence almost always refers to the very best odors and scents. You might pause to enjoy the redolence of a delicious home-cooked meal before dinner, or be particularly fond of the fried dough redolence of the county fair. This noun comes from a related adjective, redolent, which means "emitting an odor" in Old French and comes from the Latin root redolere, "emit a scent."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

redolence

I bought a couple to make cocktails with — a common usage for the fruit in its native South America — and marveled at its remarkable redolence, which perfumed my whole kitchen for days.

From New York Times ● Feb. 22, 2022

Until Bone Clocks, Mitchell alluded to these ideas rather than stating them outright, and this gave his novels a pleasant redolence of mystery and the sublime.

From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2020

It was easy to hear some redolence of Ambrose Akinmusire, one of today’s most influential young trumpeters.

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2018

But in an age where much of that is done with mixes that reek more of aluminum than allspice, we’ve turned to other, less savory sources of redolence.

From Slate ● Dec. 19, 2012

I think the soaked concrete of the borough must smell a little of Venice, or what I imagine of Venice, a redolence consumptive, intestinal.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee