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

The pistons, belts, and pulleys create the ambience of an engine room on a steamship, as clumps of fiber are separated and realigned into uniform fabric. —Shane C Kurup, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024

Candle Wax Lighting a few candles is an easy way to create a festive ambience, but wax drips and splatters are often an unfortunate result. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024

Waiting To Set The Mood With Lighting Create ambience with your lighting long before guests arrive. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024

But the food, the drinks, the ambience, the people — the people are elated. —Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 21 Nov. 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

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