odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant.
odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped
fragrant applies to things (such as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable odors.
a fragrant rose
redolent applies usually to a place or thing impregnated with odors.
the kitchen was redolent of garlic and tomatoes
aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh odors.
an aromatic blend of tobaccos
Examples of fragrant in a Sentence
The soup was fragrant with herbs and spices.
the balsam fir is a favorite as a Christmas tree because it is so fragrant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Its cuisine is fragrant, bold, and poetic, a feast of simmered stews and grilled meats, gently spiced, overlaid with bright and sour harmonics from fresh herbs and tart, fruity vinegars.—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025 The showy, fragrant blooms provide an important early source of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025 The nose features distinctive aromas of ripe fruits and sweet jam, followed by fragrant spices that evoke mulled wines and spirits of the holiday season.—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Serve the cozy meal with yogurt and maybe some Indian pickle on the side, and then be sure to stash any leftovers in the fridge for a fragrant lunch the next day.—Melissa Clark, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragrant
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin fragrant-, fragrans, from present participle of fragrare to be fragrant
Share