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
Recent Examples on the WebThe air around the station had a smokey, bitter aroma.—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2024 All of the collaborations between Dietrich and von Sternberg, the director who best understood her appeal and her potential, are great, but Morocco’s wistful romantic aroma—with hints of cigarettes, cloves, and oranges, mixed, perhaps with the sweetest sweat—lingers the longest.—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 May 2024 Part of her relief was the aroma, like fresh bedding in a stall.—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024 Bougainvillea and jasmine bring vivid color and aroma to the isle which its former Venetian rulers named Fior di Levante (the flower of the East).—Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for aroma
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aroma.' 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
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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