perfume

1 of 2

noun

1
: the scent of something sweet-smelling
2
: a substance that emits a pleasant odor
especially : a fluid preparation of natural essences (as from plants or animals) or synthetics and a fixative used for scenting

perfume

2 of 2

verb

per·​fume (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüm How to pronounce perfume (audio)
ˈpər-ˌfyüm
perfumed; perfuming

transitive verb

: to fill or imbue with an odor
Choose the Right Synonym for perfume

fragrance, perfume, scent, redolence mean a sweet or pleasant odor.

fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things.

the fragrance of pine

perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

the perfume of lilacs

scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation.

scent-free soaps

redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors.

the redolence of a forest after a rain

Examples of perfume in a Sentence

Noun She smelled the different perfumes at the store. the perfume of fresh flowers filled the room Verb The meal included a delicate fish perfumed with butter and herbs. a time when it was common for men to perfume their hair
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
After a few minutes, the air clears, giving way to a perfume that smells salty and gritty, like a rocky coast. Emily Orofino, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025 For instance, the terpene limonene, known for its citrus scent, can be found in perfumes and candles, offering a refreshing and uplifting aroma. Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
Savor the Spice Island with a visit to Belmont Estate, where cocoa tours and hands-on chocolate-making experiences are perfumed by acres of gardens planted with nutmeg and cinnamon. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025 But oh, does Sorrentino know how to apply liberal splashes of visual lushness to this pretty fashion plate of a movie that’s perfumed like one of those ads in a magazine. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perfume

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French perfum, probably from Old Occitan, from perfumar to perfume, from per- thoroughly (from Latin) + fumar to smoke, from Latin fumare, from fumus smoke — more at fume

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfume was in 1546

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perfume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfume. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

perfume

1 of 2 noun
1
: the scent of something usually sweet-smelling
2
: a substance that gives off a pleasant odor
especially : a liquid containing fragrant oils (as from flowers) mixed with alcohol and applied to the body to give it a pleasant odor

perfume

2 of 2 verb
per·​fume (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüm How to pronounce perfume (audio)
ˈpər-ˌfyüm
perfumed; perfuming
: to fill with a pleasing odor (as of flowers)

More from Merriam-Webster on perfume

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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