Fragrant: meaning, definitions and examples

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fragrant

[ˈfreɪɡrənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

pleasant smell

Having a pleasant or sweet smell; aromatic.

Synonyms

aromatic, perfumed, scented, sweet-smelling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fragrant	This word is commonly used to describe a pleasant and strong smell, often associated with flowers, plants, and certain foods. The garden was filled with fragrant roses. She added some fragrant herbs to the soup.
aromatic	Typically used to indicate a strong, pleasant smell, often associated with spices, herbs, and foods. The kitchen was filled with the aromatic scent of baking bread. He enjoyed the aromatic spices used in the curry.
perfumed	Generally used when referring to something intentionally enhanced with a pleasant fragrance, such as perfumes or scented products. She wore a lightly perfumed lotion. The candles were perfumed to give the room a sweet scent.
scented	Often used to describe items that have been infused with a particular scent, such as candles, soaps, and flowers. It can be both positive and neutral. The scented candles filled the room with a relaxing fragrance. He bought some scented sachets for his wardrobe.
sweet-smelling	Used for describing smells that are pleasant and sweet, often associated with flowers and treats. It suggests a lighter and more universally pleasant scent. The sweet-smelling blossoms attracted many bees. She enjoyed the sweet-smelling aroma of vanilla.

Examples of usage

The fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread filled the room.
The flowers in the garden were fragrant and colorful.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

intense smell

Strongly pleasant smelling.

Synonyms

aromatic, perfumed, redolent, scented, sweet-smelling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fragrant	Used to describe something that has a pleasant and strong smell. Often used with flowers, herbs, and pleasant-smelling elements in nature. The garden is filled with fragrant roses. She loves the fragrant aroma of fresh coffee.
aromatic	Typically used in relation to cooking, herbs, spices, and wines. It highlights the rich and pleasing scent. The chef used aromatic herbs to enhance the dish. The wine has an aromatic bouquet.
perfumed	Commonly used when referring to fragrances, toiletries, and man-made scents. Can have a slightly artificial or fancy connotation. She wore a lightly perfumed lotion. The room was perfumed with lavender oil.
scented	Used to describe a general smell, which can be either pleasant or unpleasant. Often used with candles, products, and anything made to have a specific fragrance. He bought a scented candle for the living room. The water was lightly scented with rose petals.
sweet-smelling	Describes a smell that is both pleasant and sweet. Often used for flowers, perfumes, and anything that has a naturally sweet aroma. The sweet-smelling honeysuckle wrapped around the garden fence. She picked a bouquet of sweet-smelling lilies.
redolent	Often used in a poetic or literary sense. It suggests a strong, nostalgic, or evocative scent that brings memories or associations. The old library was redolent of ancient books and history. The air was redolent with the perfume of blooming jasmine.

Examples of usage

The fragrant perfume lingered in the air long after she had left.
The fragrant spices added a rich aroma to the dish.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'fragrantem,' which means 'sweet-smelling.'
The roots can be traced back to the verb 'fragrare,' which means 'to smell' or 'to emit a scent.'
It first appeared in English in the 14th century, often describing flowers and perfumes.

Botany

Many fragrant flowers, like roses and jasmine, attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, serving a vital role in ecosystems.
Some plants use their scents to repel pests, showing that fragrances can act as protective mechanisms.
Essential oils extracted from fragrant plants are often used in aromatherapy, promoting well-being and relaxation.

Cultural Significance

In some cultures, floral fragrances are integral to rituals and celebrations, symbolizing purity and joy.
Fragrance plays a significant role in perfumes, where the art of scent-making can involve multiple layers of complex aromas.
In ancient Egypt, fragrant oils were used in religious ceremonies, highlighting the sacredness of particular scents.

Psychology

Certain scents are known to evoke memories and emotions, a phenomenon referred to as the Proustian phenomenon.
Studies show that pleasant fragrances can improve mood and help reduce stress levels.
The sense of smell is closely linked to the limbic system, the brain region responsible for emotions, making fragrances powerful triggers for feelings.

Perfumery

The art and science of creating fragrances is known as perfumery, with a history that dates back thousands of years.
Perfumers, called 'noses,' use a blend of natural and synthetic materials to create unique scents that can tell a story.
Fragrances are categorized into families, including floral, oriental, woody, and fresh, each evoking different moods and experiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "fragrant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fragrante

🇮🇳 सुगंधित

🇩🇪 duftend

🇮🇩 harum

🇺🇦 ароматний

🇵🇱 pachnący

🇯🇵 香りの良い

🇫🇷 parfumé

🇪🇸 fragante

🇹🇷 kokulu

🇰🇷 향기로운

🇸🇦 عطري

🇨🇿 voňavý

🇸🇰 voňavý

🇨🇳 芳香的

🇸🇮 dišeč

🇮🇸 ilmur

🇰🇿 хош иісті

🇬🇪 სურნელოვანი

🇦🇿 ətirli

🇲🇽 fragante

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,634, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11631 commenting
11632 impersonal
11633 splendour
11634 fragrant
11635 somatic
11636 aesthetics
11637 finishes
...