Fragrance
/ˈfreɪ.ɡrəns/noun
A pleasant or sweet smell.
Did you know?Fragrance comes from Latin *fragrantia*, from *fragrare* meaning “to smell sweet” or literally “to be fragrant,” a verb likely linked to the idea of something giving off a strong, burning-like odor rather than a mystical force.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
fragrare
“to smell sweet; to give off a strong odor”
Late Latin
Latin
fragrantia
“sweet smell; fragrance”
Old French
OF
fragrance
“sweet smell; pleasant scent”
14th Century
English
fragrance
“sweet-smelling odor”
Modern English
English
fragrance
“a pleasant or sweet smell”