incense

1 of 3

noun

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

1

: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned

2

: the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned

broadly : a pleasing scent

3

: pleasing attention : flattery

incense

2 of 3

verb (1)

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

incensed; incensing

transitive verb

1

: to apply or offer incense to

2

: to perfume with incense

incense

3 of 3

verb (2)

in·​cense in-ˈsen(t)s 

incensed; incensing

transitive verb

1

: to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of

2

archaic : to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused

Synonyms

Noun

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

Verb (1)

• odorize
• perfume
• scent

Verb (2)

• anger
• enrage
• inflame
• enflame
• infuriate
• ire
• mad
• madden
• outrage
• rankle
• rile
• roil
• steam up
• tick off

Examples of incense in a Sentence

Noun

the heavenly incense of spring flowers

count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office

Verb (1)

the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences

Verb (2)

the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Then more incense is lit and food is offered to ancestors; families will usually have a dedicated shrine, or even a room, set up in their homes to commemorate relatives who have passed. —Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 28 Jan. 2025

This collection of stories will introduce you to competing conceptions of time, teach you how to build a clock with incense, and help you to understand the mysteries of the Gregorian calendar (and possibly time travel). —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Dec. 2024

Verb

Every day of every year, people are incensed on social media. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

Most recently, Musk has incensed gamers by climbing the leaderboards of Path of Exile 2, another RPG. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English encens, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin incensum, from Latin, neuter of incensus, past participle of incendere to set on fire, from in- + -cendere to burn; akin to Latin candēre to glow — more at candid entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English encensen, probably from Latin incensus, past participle of incendere to set on fire, provoke

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing incense

• incense cedar

Kids Definition

incense

1 of 2 noun

in·​cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

1

a

: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned

b

: the odor so produced

2

: a pleasing scent

incense

2 of 2 verb

in·​cense

in-ˈsen(t)s

incensed; incensing

: to make very angry