adj
balsamic
bawl-SA-mihk
Balsamic (adj) means having a soothing, fragrant quality like balsam. Example: “The candle had a warm, balsamic scent.”
adj
1
Having a soothing, fragrant quality like balsam.
"The candle had a warm, balsamic scent."
noun
1
Short for balsamic vinegar, a dark, sweet Italian vinegar.
"Emilia-Romagna is home to fabled Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and aged balsamics."
— Gord Stimmell, Many fine wines plus one for a coffee lover (2009)
"She drizzled balsamic over the salad."
How to use balsamic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly used today for the dark, tangy-sweet Italian vinegar, though it also means "soothing and fragrant."
Common pairings
balsamic vinegar
balsamic glaze
balsamic reduction
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Word forms
- Plural
- balsamics
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The candle had a warm, _____ scent.
Etymology
From "balsam" plus the adjective ending -ic.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for balsamic
See all rhymes for balsamic →Frequently asked questions
What does “balsamic” mean?
The word “balsamic” means having a soothing, fragrant quality like balsam. In plain terms, most commonly used today for the dark, tangy-sweet Italian vinegar, though it also means "soothing and fragrant.".
How do you pronounce “balsamic”?
“Balsamic” is pronounced bawl-SA-mihk (/ˌbɔːlˈsæmɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “balsamic” in a sentence?
Here is “balsamic” used in a sentence: “The candle had a warm, balsamic scent.”
What part of speech is “balsamic”?
Depending on how it is used, “balsamic” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “balsamic” have?
“Balsamic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a soothing, fragrant quality like balsam.
