aroma

noun

ə-ˈrō-mə How to pronounce aroma (audio)
Definition of aromanext
1
as in scent
a sweet or pleasant smell I love the aroma of bread baking in the oven

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smell
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose the ripe aroma of a sweatshirt that's in dire need of laundering

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in aura
a special quality or impression associated with something the aroma of wealth and privilege that pervades the manicured confines of the country club

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aroma contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aroma are odor, scent, and smell. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

How are the words odor and smell related as synonyms of aroma?

Odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

In what contexts can scent take the place of aroma?

Although the words scent and aroma have much in common, scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

When is smell a more appropriate choice than aroma?

While the synonyms smell and aroma are close in meaning, smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of aroma The dish is no longer on the menu after the city received complaints about the dish’s aroma. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026 Along with the sugars, seagrass roots suffuse their surroundings with aromatic chemicals, many of which are familiar to us as the aromas of coffee, red wine, and tree bark. —David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026 In higher-grade tea, the aromas are more noticeable, and the tea itself is fuller-bodied. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026 Peach Blossom & Nectar is a fruity, delectable aroma ideal for spring and summer. —Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aroma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aroma
  1. scent
  2. smell
  3. aura
  4. fragrance
  5. atmosphere
  6. air
  7. flavor
Noun
  • Strong-smelling companion plants mask the scent of crops so pests cannot find them.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Throw out those old sponges and try out a new scent (like a fresh lemon or floral) to make your home smell brand new.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • Other barriers to having home-cooked, nutritious food could include lack of motivation, medications or losing the sense of taste or smell that may lead to apathy about food.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The earthy, herbaceous scent is described by various commenters as a match for the smell left behind on your fingers after picking a fresh tomato off the vine, or the experience of walking through a garden.
    — Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • But inside, up on the eighth floor where the writers worked in silence, Rainey’s world unfolded for me in Technicolor, lit by her fiery aura.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
  • But the aura of deep spirituality and tangible history is impressive.
    — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of aura
Noun
  • Individual components—such as wetness indicators, adhesives, dyes and fragrances—would also fall under the disclosure requirements.
    — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The pool won't win awards for its size or view, but the fragrance from the nearby frangipani trees and cool water is a welcome relief from the hot temperatures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of fragrance
Noun
  • Much of it was lofted by tiny gas pockets into the upper water column, only to fall back downward after the bubbles fizzed into the atmosphere.
    — Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Opt for the fine-dining option to sink into a quieter atmosphere.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of atmosphere
Noun
  • In mid-April, MMCD staff will be working on foot and in the air across the Twin Cities, looking for trouble spots in marshes and wetlands.
    — Ashley Grams, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Orion's toilet uses air flow to pull solid and fluid waste away from the body and into containers.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of air
Noun
  • Each one is thoughtfully crafted with its alcoholic sibling in mind, so the notes and flavors felt more like siblings than distant cousins.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Each pea is a miraculous burst of freshness that can stand up to assertive flavors.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of flavor

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Cite this Entry

“Aroma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aroma. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on aroma

Nglish: Translation of aroma for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aroma

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