redolent
Americanadjective
-
having a pleasant odor; fragrant.
- Synonyms:
- odoriferous, aromatic, odorous
-
odorous or smelling (usually followed byof ).
redolent of garlic.
-
suggestive; reminiscent (usually followed byof ).
verse redolent of Shakespeare.
adjective
-
having a pleasant smell; fragrant
-
(postpositive; foll by of or with) having the odour or smell (of); scented (with)
a room redolent of country flowers
-
(postpositive; foll by of or with) reminiscent or suggestive (of)
a picture redolent of the 18th century
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of redolent
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin redolent-, stem of redolēns, present participle of redolēre “to emit odor,” equivalent to red- red- ( def. ) + ol(ēre) “to smell” (akin to odor ( def. ) )
Explanation
When something is redolent of something, it makes you think of that thing by making a pretty strong impression on you. He had a shifty eye redolent of years of lying and petty crime. People used to use redolent of something with a strong, distinctive odor. Now, think of it as "stinks of" — but in a fancy way. If you're touring an old castle, you might say that the worn carpet and handsome woodwork are redolent of the place's former glory, though otherwise it's a dump.
Vocabulary lists containing redolent
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Great Gatsby
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Nose Knows: Olfactory Vocabulary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On “Age of Capricorn” a buzzing voice seems to be reciting some kind of code, with strings of letters ringing out over pulsing synths and a blooming bassline redolent of a pipe organ.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
A slightly sweet, oily scent, redolent of old workshops or antique paraffin lamps.
From BBC ● May 3, 2026
That pact to respect the dignity of the deceased, redolent of the old-school media environment, where gory films had to be sought out on LiveLeak, did not last.
From Slate ● Sep. 12, 2025
Roast pork belly redolent and tender as Castilian suckling pig.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2025
They multiplied prodigiously, hung abundantly from the trees, crowded the skies until they were redolent of yeast.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
