perfume

8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for perfume, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A liquid with a pleasant scent, worn on the skin or clothing.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

fragrance scent cologne essence

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

eau de parfum aroma aromatize aromatise

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A liquid with a pleasant scent, worn on the skin or clothing.

“She dabbed a little perfume on her wrists before the party.”

fragrance scent cologne eau de parfum aroma essence

2. noun

A pleasant smell given off by something.

“The perfume of fresh roses filled the room.”

Opposites

stink stench

3. verb

To give something a pleasant scent.

“Lavender bags were used to perfume the linen closet.”

aromatize scent aromatise

How to use perfume

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

spray perfume a bottle of perfume the perfume of flowers

Etymology

From Middle French parfum, ultimately from Latin per ("through") and fumare ("to smoke"), originally referring to scented smoke.

Full origin of perfume →

Frequently asked questions

What does “perfume” mean?

The word “perfume” means a liquid with a pleasant scent, worn on the skin or clothing. In plain terms, a scented liquid worn for its smell, or the pleasant smell itself.

How do you pronounce “perfume”?

“Perfume” is pronounced PURF-yoom (/ˈpɝfjuːm/ in IPA).

How do you use “perfume” in a sentence?

Here is “perfume” used in a sentence: “She dabbed a little perfume on her wrists before the party.”

What part of speech is “perfume”?

Depending on how it is used, “perfume” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “perfume” come from?

The word “perfume” comes from Latin. From Middle French parfum, ultimately from Latin per ("through") and fumare ("to smoke"), originally referring to scented smoke.

Is “perfume” a common word?

“Perfume” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “perfume” have?

“Perfume” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a liquid with a pleasant scent, worn on the skin or clothing.

What is the difference between perfume and cologne?

Perfume and cologne both refer to scented liquids worn on the skin, but cologne typically has a lower concentration of fragrance oils and a lighter, less lasting scent than perfume. Perfume is the broader term for a liquid with a pleasant scent worn on skin or clothing.

Can perfume refer to a smell that isn't a product?

Yes, perfume can also describe a pleasant smell given off by something naturally, such as the perfume of flowers, without referring to a manufactured product. This sense extends the word beyond bottled fragrances to any pleasant natural scent.

Can perfume be used as a verb?

Yes, to perfume something means to give it a pleasant scent, as in perfuming a room with flowers. This verb use is less common than the noun but is standard English.

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essence scent Cologne fragrance stink aroma stench

Nearby words

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