incense

1 of 3

noun

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
1
: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
2
: the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned
broadly : a pleasing scent
3
: pleasing attention : flattery

incense

2 of 3

verb (1)

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
incensed; incensing

transitive verb

1
: to apply or offer incense to
2
: to perfume with incense

incense

3 of 3

verb (2)

in·​cense in-ˈsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
incensed; incensing

transitive verb

1
: to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
2
archaic : to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused

Examples of incense in a Sentence

Noun the heavenly incense of spring flowers count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
While her husband lit cones of incense, Amarjargal donned the shaman's headdress, known as an umsgol. Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 This is made easier by putting a playlist on, lighting candles, and burning incense. Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 Meyers has observed death rituals that include praying, burning incense, wrapping a deceased pet’s body in a white sheet, and opening a window for a pet’s spirit to exit. Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 Other Vietnamese traditions for Lunar New Year include burning incense and inviting ancestors to join in celebrations. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024 This included an incense stick lit for five minutes, a mixture of flour, sawdust, and dirt placed around one floor mark, and a room deodorizer sprayed for 10 seconds. Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2023 First, Zhang used ultrasound to emit an incense made from the essence of tree of heaven from ArTreeficial’s trunk to entice the pests. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Smell stimulates the parts of the brain tied to memories and emotions, just as Annapurna’s incense had done for me. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Cocoa nibs and sandalwood incense on the nose with black cherry skins and broader tannins give more structure and shape with a vibrant and well-focused finish. Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024
Verb
In the days before the funeral, as its details leaked out, these critics—many of whom were military veterans—became increasingly incensed. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024 Vichy officials were incensed at the presence of Jews in the royal court. Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Ivar Cole was once again incensed that Valhalla wasn’t wearing antlers. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Pistons coach Monty Williams was incensed after the game and delivered a furious rant in the media room. Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 Napoli was incensed by the sending off and other refereeing decisions and no one spoke to the media apart from De Laurentiis. Daniella Matar, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 But members of the caucus said they were still incensed about the range of restrictive policies the administration had been willing to entertain, according to people familiar with the private meeting who discussed it on the condition of anonymity. Karoun Demirjian, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023 She was incensed by the foolishness and incompetence of the men running the nation and believed that women were better suited to solve America’s problems. Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 As the 2024 primary elections get started, most 18-29 year-olds remain skeptical of Trump and incensed by the GOP’s assault on reproductive rights. Eric Klinenberg, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English encens, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin incensum, from Latin, neuter of incensus, past participle of incendere to set on fire, from in- + -cendere to burn; akin to Latin candēre to glow — more at candid

Verb (2)

Middle English encensen, probably from Latin incensus, past participle of incendere to set on fire, provoke

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of incense was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near incense

Cite this Entry

“Incense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incense. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

incense

1 of 2 noun
in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
1
a
: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
b
: the odor so produced
2
: a pleasing scent

incense

2 of 2 verb
in·​cense
in-ˈsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
: to make very angry

More from Merriam-Webster on incense

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