ambience

noun

am·​bi·​ence ˈam-bē-ən(t)s 

ˈäm-bē-än(t)s

variants or ambiance

: a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing : atmosphere

The restaurant's soft music and candlelight gave it a romantic ambience.

Synonyms

• air
• aroma
• atmosphere
• aura
• climate
• flavor
• halo
• karma
• mood
• nimbus
• note
• odor
• patina
• smell
• temper
• vibration(s)

Examples of ambience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My birthday came around, and my date took me to a fun restaurant with great ambience and food. —Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025

The music incorporates sounds of modern jazz, oscillating between background ambience and intense bursts that mirror the story’s rising tension. —Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2025

The warm ambience comes through in everything from the accommodations to the cozy cocktail bar. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2024

As is often the case, a trip here is about more than just the golf – indicative of the great hotels, restaurants, friendliness and ambience. —Scott Kramer, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

in part from ambi(ent) entry 1 + -ence, in part borrowed from French ambiance (from ambiant "ambient" + -ance -ance)

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ambience

• ambiance

Kids Definition

ambience

noun

am·​bi·​ence

variants or ambiance

ˈam-bē-ən(t)s  ˈäm-bē-än(t)s 

: a feeling or mood that is related to a particular place, person, or thing