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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The wine offers intense blackberry, mocha, and cassis aromas with subtle earthy undertones.—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 Fresh zest infuses the seasoning with the fragrance and aroma of lemon and penetrates the salmon.—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025 Extracts are tastes and aromas pulled directly from a specific food like vanilla beans, lemon peels, or hazelnuts.—Ali Bouzari, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 The nose features complex aromas of ancho pepper, cinnamon spice, black pepper, truffle, and cream soda.—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 25 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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