Aromatic
adjective /ˌær.əˈmæt.ɪk/ — Having a pleasant, distinctive smell
Definition
Having a strong, pleasant, and distinctive smell — the quality of herbs, spices, wood smoke, citrus peel, roasted coffee, or fresh bread.
Beyond the definition
Smell that tells a story. Aromatic things carry information — where they came from, how they were made, what time of year it is. The nose is the most memory-connected sense.
Origin & history
From Greek 'arōmatikos' (fragrant, spiced) — from 'arōma' (spice, sweet herb, scent). The quality of spices — what makes the nose follow.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The kitchen was aromatic with garlic, lemon, and rosemary — the smell arrived long before the food did.
Cedar has an aromatic quality that moths dislike and humans associate with old wardrobes and dignity.
Aromatic herbs have a particular intensity: the oil in the leaves releases on touch, not just proximity.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Aromatic” when the meaning fits your context: Having a strong, pleasant, and distinctive smell — the quality of herbs, spices, wood smoke, citrus peel, roasted coffee, or fresh bread.
Synonyms
Antonyms
odourless, bland, fetid
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Brushing Herbs in Garden
An adult walks through a herb garden, brushing their hand through plants to release their scent into the warm air.
The act of releasing the scent of fresh herbs directly depicts the meaning of aromatic, highlighting the strong, pleasant, and distinctive nature of the smells involved.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Aromatic" mean?
Aromatic is adjective meaning: Having a pleasant, distinctive smell. Having a strong, pleasant, and distinctive smell — the quality of herbs, spices, wood smoke, citrus peel, roasted coffee, or fresh bread.
Where does the word "Aromatic" come from?
From Greek 'arōmatikos' (fragrant, spiced) — from 'arōma' (spice, sweet herb, scent). The quality of spices — what makes the nose follow.