attar

noun

at·​tar ˈa-tər How to pronounce attar (audio) ˈa-ˌtär How to pronounce attar (audio)
variants or less commonly
ˈä-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce attar (audio)
Synonyms of attarnext
: a fragrant essential oil (as from rose petals)
also : fragrance

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of attar in a Sentence

exuding the attar of jasmine, the beautifully bejeweled woman set off for the ball
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their flowers in pale pink or white are an afterthought to the plethora of scents – peppermint, lemon, chocolate, nutmeg, apple, ginger, apricot, attar of roses, and cinnamon, among others – that their leaves transmit upon being rubbed or crushed. — Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025 Also known as attars or absolutes, essential oils are made from fruits and plants. — Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Persian ʽaṭir perfumed, from Arabic, from ʽiṭr perfume

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attar was in 1790

Rhymes for attar

See All Rhymes for attar

Browse Nearby Words

attapulgite
attar
attas
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attar. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

attar

noun
at·​tar ˈat-ər How to pronounce attar (audio)
ˈa-ˌtär
: a fragrant oil that comes from a plant (as the rose) and is used in perfumes or flavorings
also : fragrance

Medical Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All