fragrant

adjective

fra·​grant ˈfrā-grənt 

: having a sweet or pleasant smell

fragrantly adverb

Synonyms

• aromatic
• scented

Choose the Right Synonym for fragrant

odorous, fragrant, redolent, aromatic mean emitting and diffusing scent.

odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant.

odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped

fragrant applies to things (such as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable odors.

a fragrant rose

redolent applies usually to a place or thing impregnated with odors.

the kitchen was redolent of garlic and tomatoes

aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh odors.

an aromatic blend of tobaccos

Examples of fragrant in a Sentence

The soup was fragrant with herbs and spices.

the balsam fir is a favorite as a Christmas tree because it is so fragrant

Recent Examples on the Web

The scent of fragrant broth wafts from the kitchen into the bright dining room. —Bao Ong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025

Climbing higher up the hillside on a rocky path sprouting with fragrant wild sage, there’s more evidence of how sophisticated life in Termessos would’ve been. —Barry Neild, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025

Blooming over a long season, the fragrant, frilly blooms draw Gulf Fritillary and other butterfly species to the garden. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2025

Plumerias, whose fragrant blooms are strung together in Hawaiian flower necklaces called leis, eventually grow into 15-foot trees. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin fragrant-, fragrans, from present participle of fragrare to be fragrant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fragrant

• flagrant
• vagrant

Kids Definition

fragrant

adjective

fra·​grant ˈfrā-grənt 

: having a sweet or agreeable smell

fragrantly adverb