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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While many versions of the aroma exist, feeding the line with new facets helps Mugler continue to tell the story.—Essence, 24 Apr. 2025 Chilean coastal Pinot Noir showcases vibrant colors—slightly more intense than cool-climate counterparts elsewhere due to the intense afternoon sunlight—with characteristic sweet and sour cherry aromas complemented by wet earth notes and silky textures.—Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 Salinas said, cannabis contains terpenes, as do other plants, and these chemical compounds impact the aroma and taste but also provide different effects on users.—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025 As with all of Slatkin’s creations, the packaging plays as important a role as the aroma inside.—Jackie Fields, People.com, 18 Apr. 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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