frankincense
3 synonyms for frankincense, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A fragrant resin from Boswellia trees, dried and burned as incense.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
olibanum
gum olibanum
How to use frankincense
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
frankincense and myrrh
burn frankincense
Etymology
From Old French franc encens, literally "high-quality incense" — "franc" here meaning noble or pure rather than free.
Full origin of frankincense →Frequently asked questions
What does “frankincense” mean?
The word “frankincense” means a fragrant resin from Boswellia trees, dried and burned as incense. In plain terms, a resin burned for its sweet, woody smoke, historically prized and traded like a luxury good.
How do you pronounce “frankincense”?
“Frankincense” is pronounced FRANG-kuhn-sehns (/ˈfɹæŋkənˌsɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “frankincense” in a sentence?
Here is “frankincense” used in a sentence: “The temple filled with the smoky scent of frankincense.”
What part of speech is “frankincense”?
“Frankincense” is a noun.
Where does the word “frankincense” come from?
The word “frankincense” comes from Old French. From Old French franc encens, literally "high-quality incense" — "franc" here meaning noble or pure rather than free.
