perfume

[n. pur-fyoom, per-fyoom; v. per-fyoom, pur-fyoom] /n. ˈpɜr fyum, pərˈfyum; v. pərˈfyum, ˈpɜr fyum/

noun

a substance, extract, or preparation for diffusing or imparting an agreeable or attractive smell, especially a fluid containing fragrant natural oils extracted from flowers, woods, etc., or similar synthetic oils.

the scent, odor, or volatile particles emitted by substances that smell agreeable.

verb (used with object), perfumed, perfuming.

(of substances, flowers, etc.) to impart a pleasant fragrance to.

to impregnate with a sweet odor; scent.

Origin

1525-35; earlier parfume (noun) < Middle French parfum, noun derivative of parfumer (v.) < obsolete Italian parfumare (modern profumare). See per-, fume

Related forms

perfumeless, adjective

perfumy, adjective

unperfumed, adjective

Synonyms

1. essence, attar, scent; incense. 2. Perfume, aroma, fragrance all refer to agreeable odors. Perfume often indicates a strong, rich smell, natural or manufactured: the perfume of flowers. Fragrance is usually applied to fresh, delicate, and delicious odors, especially from growing things: fragrance of new-mown hay. Aroma is restricted to a somewhat spicy smell: the aroma of coffee.

Antonyms

2. stench.

Examples from the web for perfume

Jars of skin cream still bore the scent of coconuts, and flasks of perfume exuded essence of rose.
The czar's servants carried the opulent dishes, perfume bottles and other personal items directly to the czar's private chamber.
One is worth more to scent your hand-kerchief with than any perfume which they sell in the shops.
The fresh milky odor is quite perceptible, also the perfume of hay from the barn.
And putting make-up, hair extensions, and perfume in the same category as lying is really a stretch.
Many of the ingredients prized by perfume companies are being regulated out of existence.
There are perfume legends, there are perfumer legends, and then there are perfumes that become obsessions.
They are used in everything from perfume bottles to car engines.
Plant a vine near a patio where you can enjoy its perfume on balmy summer evenings.
Ultimately, her reputation led her to the perfume industry.

British Dictionary definitions for perfume

perfume

noun (ˈpɜːfjuːm)

a mixture of alcohol and fragrant essential oils extracted from flowers, spices, etc, or made synthetically, used esp to impart a pleasant long-lasting scent to the body, stationery, etc See also cologne, toilet water

a scent or odour, esp a fragrant one

verb (pəˈfjuːm)

(transitive) to impart a perfume to

Word Origin

C16: from French parfum, probably from Old Provençal perfum, from perfumar to make scented, from per through (from Latin) + fumar to smoke, from Latin fumāre to smoke

Word Origin and History for perfume

1530s, "fumes from a burning substance," from Middle French parfum (16c.), from parfumer "to scent," from Old Provençal perfumar or cognate words in dialectal Italian (perfumare) or Spanish (perfumar), from Latin per- "through" (see per) + fumare "to smoke" (see fume (n.)). Meaning "fluid containing agreeable essences of flowers, etc.," is attested from 1540s.

1530s, "to fill with smoke or vapor," from perfume (n.) or from Middle French parfumer. Meaning "to impart a sweet scent to" is from 1530s. Related: Perfumed; perfuming.