Aromatic

/ˌæroʊˈmætɪk/

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonSensory
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Having a strong, pleasant smell.

/ˌæroʊˈmætɪk/

adjectivepositiveBeginner
Sensory

Having a pleasant and spicy fragrance.

The aromatic spices filled the kitchen with a warm scent.

💡 Simply: Smells nice and spicy.

More Examples

2

She enjoyed the aromatic coffee.

How It's Used

Culinary

"The aromatic herbs infused the soup with a delicious scent."

Perfumery

"The perfume contained a blend of aromatic oils."

2

A fragrant substance; in chemistry, a class of organic compounds.

/ˌæroʊˈmætɪk/

nounneutralIntermediate
Substance

A substance with a pleasant smell, especially a spice or herb.

Many culinary aromatics are used in Middle Eastern cuisine.

💡 Simply: Something that smells good, or a chemical compound.

More Examples

2

The chemist studied the properties of aromatic hydrocarbons.

How It's Used

Chemistry

"Benzene is an example of an aromatic compound."

Tip:Think of aromatic spices like cinnamon.

From Middle French aromatique, from Late Latin aromaticus, from Greek aromatikós, from aroma "spice, aromatic herb", from arōma, of uncertain origin; possibly related to Sanskrit rāma- "pleasant, delightful".

The word has been used to describe fragrant substances since the ancient Greeks.

Memory tip

Think 'aroma' - a pleasant smell.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"fragrant, spicy"

aromatic compoundsaromatic oilsaromatic herbsaromatic plants

Common misspellings

aromaticcaromatticaroamtic

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written