fragrant

adjective

fra·​grant ˈfrā-grənt How to pronounce fragrant (audio)
: having a sweet or pleasant smell
fragrantly adverb
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 Peonies produce large flowers that are also fragrant and there are many varieties to choose from. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 27 Apr. 2024 During my 60-minute Zanzibar Spice Scrub, I was massaged and buffed with a concoction of fragrant cloves, healing lemongrass, and nourishing moringa oil. Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2024 Essential oils are fragrant plant extracts, made by steaming or pressing plants, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024 Below are also a few especially fragrant/flavorful recipes from our archives. Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024 This recipe relies on a heady blend of North African spices muddled with oil, lemon and runny honey to create a soupy, fragrant paste. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024 Several fragrant items are passed around the table. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024 Decor came to life under the guidance of Save Venice Co-Chair Bronson van Wyck, with verdant foliage and fragrant blooms punctuated by life-sized trees. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024 The sweet environment is fragrant in a contradictory way — enticing and sickly, indulgent and off-putting, decidedly lovely and vaguely gross. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fragrant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fragrant was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fragrant

Cite this Entry

“Fragrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fragrant. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

fragrant

adjective
fra·​grant ˈfrā-grənt How to pronounce fragrant (audio)
: having a sweet or agreeable smell
fragrantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on fragrant

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