aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

1

a

: a distinctive, pervasive, and usually pleasant or savory smell

the aroma of freshly-baked bread

broadly : odor

b

: the odor of a wine imparted by the grapes from which it is made

The wine has a fruity aroma.

2

: a distinctive quality or atmosphere : flavor

the sweet aroma of success

Synonyms of aroma

• scent
• fragrance
• fragrancy

Choose the Right Synonym for aroma

smell, scent, odor, aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense.

smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

Examples of aroma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On a recent afternoon, customers in a Connecticut store browsed the rows of wooden casks, which stretch from the entrance to the rear of the spacious building, and amid the aroma of freshly roasted and ground coffee filling the air. —Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

Their 2022 Pinot Noir has enticing aromas of cherry cola, cinnamon, and red raspberry that lead to delicious flavors of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and brown baking spices. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 1 May 2026

Make sure to garnish with oranges too for a pretty presentation and temping citrus aroma. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 May 2026

Food is prepared on charcoal- burning grills, giving it a mouthwatering char and aroma that electric grills could never dream of replicating. —Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aromat "fragrant substance, as a spice or ointment," borrowed from Anglo-French aromat, aromant "balm," borrowed from Latin arōmat-, arōma "fragrant substance, spice," borrowed from Greek arōmat-, árōma, of obscure origin

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for aroma

• diploma
• fibroma
• glaucoma
• glioma
• lipoma
• lymphoma
• myoma
• myxoma
• neuroma
• paloma
• schwannoma
• scotoma

Kids Definition

aroma

noun

aro·​ma ə-ˈrō-mə 

: a noticeable and usually pleasant smell

the aroma of coffee