ENGLISH
REFERENCE

perfume

n. C / U
A2 Elementary US //pɝfˈjum// per·fume

n. a liquid with a pleasant smell that you wear on your skin. People often use it to smell nice for special events or daily life.

n. a fragrant liquid, typically made from essential oils and alcohol, applied to the body to impart a pleasant scent. Often used in the plural to refer to different varieties or brands.


SIMPLE

She wears a light floral perfume every day.

CONTEXTUAL

The department store's ground floor was filled with the heavy, sweet scent of various expensive perfumes.

COMPLEX

The master perfumer spent years balancing top, middle, and base notes to create a signature perfume that would remain distinct even hours after application.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French parfum, perfum. Doublet of parfum.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the substance or scent in general; countable when referring to specific types or bottles.

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