perfume
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a liquid with a strong, pleasant smell that people put on their bodies.
n.a fragrant liquid, typically made from essential oils and alcohol, applied to the body for its pleasant scent.
Simple“She received a bottle of expensive French perfume for her birthday.”
In context“The luxury brand launched a new perfume featuring notes of sandalwood and jasmine, targeting a younger demographic than their previous collections.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a sweet or pleasant smell in the air.
n.a pleasant or sweet odor emitted by a substance, such as a flower or spice.
Simple“The perfume of the roses filled the entire garden.”
In context“As the sun set, the heavy perfume of night-blooming jasmine drifted through the open windows of the villa.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to give something a pleasant smell.
v.to impregnate or fill a space or object with a fragrant scent.
Simple“Fresh flowers were used to perfume the hallway before the guests arrived.”
In context“The baker used orange blossom water to perfume the delicate pastries, creating a subtle floral aroma that complemented the honey.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb that takes a direct object.
Borrowed from Middle French parfum, perfum. Doublet of parfum.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.