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

His take, the curry shrimp burger, brings the bold aromas of herbs and Scotch bonnet peppers to a shrimp patty served on a warm brioche bun and topped with a mango pickled slaw, arugula, and a signature curry mango aioli. —Jessica Fields, Essence, 21 Feb. 2025

The sprays use essential oils to create nuanced aromas inspired by dreamy settings and are designed to fragrance rooms, sheets, and even cars. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Feb. 2025

Soto appreciates the earthy notes, mesquite aromas, and lingering anise. —Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu, Bon Appétit, 18 Feb. 2025

According to the Associated Press, which first reported on the study, researchers from the University College London and the University of Ljubljana set out to investigate the aromas emitted by 5,000-year-old Egyptian mummies stored at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Feb. 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

Rhymes for aroma

• diploma
• fibroma
• glaucoma
• glioma
• lipoma
• lymphoma
• myoma
• myxoma
• neuroma
• paloma
• schwannoma
• scotoma

Kids Definition

aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

: a noticeable and usually pleasant smell

the aroma of coffee