# perfume

/pɝfˈjum/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/perfume
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. fragrant liquid

noun · CEFR A2

a liquid with a strong, pleasant smell that people put on their bodies.

For teachers: a fragrant liquid, typically made from essential oils and alcohol, applied to the body for its pleasant scent.

- She received a bottle of expensive French perfume for her birthday.
- The luxury brand launched a new perfume featuring notes of sandalwood and jasmine, targeting a younger demographic than their previous collections.

### 2. a pleasant smell

noun · CEFR B1

a sweet or pleasant smell in the air.

For teachers: a pleasant or sweet odor emitted by a substance, such as a flower or spice.

- The perfume of the roses filled the entire garden.
- As the sun set, the heavy perfume of night-blooming jasmine drifted through the open windows of the villa.

### 3. to add a scent

verb · CEFR B2

to give something a pleasant smell.

For teachers: to impregnate or fill a space or object with a fragrant scent.

- Fresh flowers were used to perfume the hallway before the guests arrived.
- The baker used orange blossom water to perfume the delicate pastries, creating a subtle floral aroma that complemented the honey.

Usage: This is a transitive verb that takes a direct object.

## Examples

- She wears a light floral perfume every day.
- The department store's ground floor was filled with the heavy, sweet scent of various expensive perfumes.
- The master perfumer spent years balancing top, middle, and base notes to create a signature perfume that would remain distinct even hours after application.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.