# incense

/ˈɪnˌsɛns/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/incense
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a substance that you burn to produce a sweet or pleasant smell. It is often used during religious ceremonies or to make a room feel calm.

For teachers: a substance, often in the form of a stick or powder, that emits a fragrant smoke when burned. Frequently associated with liturgical or meditative practices.

## Examples

- The room smelled of sweet incense.
- The priest swung a metal container to spread the smoke of the burning incense throughout the church.
- While many use incense simply for its pleasant aroma, various cultures maintain that the rising smoke serves as a symbolic bridge between the physical world and the spiritual realm.

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