aromatic
air-uh-MAT-ik
/ˌær.əˈmæt.ɪk/
Having a pleasant, distinctive, and often herbal or spicy smell.
In perfumery, 'aromatic' refers specifically to fresh, green, herbaceous notes like lavender, rosemary, sage, and mint, rather than sweet or floral scents.
The story behind the word. The word comes from ancient Greek, where 'aroma' referred to spices and seasonings used in cooking and medicine. Over the centuries, the meaning expanded from things that taste good to anything that releases a rich, pleasant, and diffusive scent.
Word relationships
- fragrant: Fragrant is a general term for any sweet or pleasant smell, while aromatic often carries a connotation of fresh, spicy, or herbal qualities.
- scented: Scented simply means having a smell (often artificially added), whereas aromatic implies a natural, robust, and diffusive odor.
- odorless: Odorless means having absolutely no smell at all.
- malodorous: Malodorous means having an extremely unpleasant or foul smell.
Commonly confused with
- pungent: Pungent describes a sharp, biting, or stinging smell that can be overwhelming, while aromatic is always pleasant and inviting.
Word family
- aroma (noun): A distinctive, typically pleasant smell.
- aromatize (verb): To render aromatic; to perfume.
Collocations
- aromatic herbs
- aromatic oils
- aromatic blend
- highly aromatic
Example sentences
- "The air was warm and aromatic with the scent of pine and wild rosemary." Describing a walk through a garden.
- "The chef added a bundle of aromatic herbs to the simmering broth to build a rich flavor profile." Describing a culinary experience.
Memory hook
Think of 'arrows' of scent shooting through the air to tickle your nose. Spicy herbal scent.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a bad or foul smell, even if it is strong; 'aromatic' always implies a pleasant or clean scent.
Fun facts
- In organic chemistry, 'aromatic compounds' are a class of hydrocarbons that contain benzene rings. Many of them do have strong smells, which is how they originally got their name.
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