aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

1

a

: a distinctive, pervasive, and usually pleasant or savory smell

the aroma of freshly-baked bread

broadly : odor

b

: the odor of a wine imparted by the grapes from which it is made

The wine has a fruity aroma.

2

: a distinctive quality or atmosphere : flavor

the sweet aroma of success

Synonyms

• attar
• otto
• balm
• bouquet
• fragrance
• fragrancy
• incense
• perfume
• redolence
• scent
• spice

Choose the Right Synonym for aroma

smell, scent, odor, aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense.

smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

Examples of aroma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pit is located in the back of the dining room, so the aroma of the meat smoking permeates the building in the best way. —Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2025

Loading your audio article Spanish music blares, crowds bustle and the aroma of savory and sweet treats wafts into every corner of Oakland’s Fruitvale Public Market, a space offering Latin American finds curated by small entrepreneurs for more than two decades. —Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025

The nose features right citrus aromas, predominantly orange and lemon zest, intertwined with juniper and coriander herbal notes. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

Expect Cycladic charm with whitewashed walls and warm natural textures, all surrounded by aromas of thyme and lavender. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aromat "fragrant substance, as a spice or ointment," borrowed from Anglo-French aromat, aromant "balm," borrowed from Latin arōmat-, arōma "fragrant substance, spice," borrowed from Greek arōmat-, árōma, of obscure origin

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

: a noticeable and usually pleasant smell

the aroma of coffee