smell, scent, odor, aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense.
smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.
an odd smell permeated the room
scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.
the scent of lilacs
odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.
a cheese with a strong odor
aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.
the aroma of freshly ground coffee
Examples of aroma in a Sentence
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Bright, intense purple; heady aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, lavender and a hint of clove.—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 Rich in cultural traditions, different selections of these heirloom varieties favor different climates and geographies differently, offering a wide range of aromas and flavors.—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025 Scented Large Tumbler Candle Just like a refreshing glass of lemonade, this candle features strawberry, lemon, and grapefruit notes for a citrusy, sweet aroma.—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025 The grapes used to make this wine are grown on a high altitude ridge, which causes the grapes to incorporate the mineral characteristics of the area, producing a bold and expressive wine with black fruit aromas and a mineral finish.—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aroma
Word History
Etymology
Middle English aromat "fragrant substance, as a spice or ointment," borrowed from Anglo-French aromat, aromant "balm," borrowed from Latin arōmat-, arōma "fragrant substance, spice," borrowed from Greek arōmat-, árōma, of obscure origin
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