noun
Uncommon
musk
muhsk
Musk (noun) means a strong-smelling substance produced by certain animals, especially the male musk deer, used in making perfume. Example: “The perfume had a deep base note of musk beneath the citrus top notes.”
noun
1
A strong-smelling substance produced by certain animals, especially the male musk deer, used in making perfume.
"The perfume had a deep base note of musk beneath the citrus top notes."
2
The heavy, earthy scent associated with this substance, or a synthetic version of it.
"Her jumper still carried a faint musk of the incense from the shop."
How to use musk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rich, animal-derived scent used in perfume, or the smell itself.
Common pairings
musk deer
a musky scent
notes of musk
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Word forms
- Plural
- musks
- Third person singular
- musks
- Past tense
- musked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The perfume had a deep base note of _____ beneath the citrus top notes.
Etymology
From Old French musc, tracing back through Late Latin and Greek to a Persian and ultimately Sanskrit word for "testicle" — a reference to the shape of the gland that produces the scent.
Rhymes for musk
See all rhymes for musk →Frequently asked questions
What does “musk” mean?
The word “musk” means a strong-smelling substance produced by certain animals, especially the male musk deer, used in making perfume. In plain terms, a rich, animal-derived scent used in perfume, or the smell itself.
How do you pronounce “musk”?
“Musk” is pronounced muhsk (/mʌsk/ in IPA).
How do you use “musk” in a sentence?
Here is “musk” used in a sentence: “The perfume had a deep base note of musk beneath the citrus top notes.”
What part of speech is “musk”?
“Musk” is a noun.
Where does the word “musk” come from?
The word “musk” comes from Late Latin.
Is “musk” a common word?
“Musk” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “musk” have?
“Musk” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong-smelling substance produced by certain animals, especially the male musk deer, used in making perfume.
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