Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense incenses, present participle incensing, past tense, past participle incensedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (ɪnsens). The verb is pronounced (ɪnsens).
1. uncountable noun
Incense is a substance that is burned for its sweet smell, often as part of a religious ceremony.
Synonyms: perfume, scent, fragrance, bouquet More Synonyms of incense
2. verb
If you say that something incenses you, you mean that it makes you extremely angry.
This proposal will incense conservation campaigners. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: anger, infuriate, enrage, excite More Synonyms of incense
Mum was incensed at his lack of compassion. [+ at/by]
Synonyms: angry, mad [informal], furious, cross More Synonyms of incense
incense in British English1
(ˈɪnsɛns)
noun
1.
any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies
2.
the odour or smoke so produced
3.
any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma
4. rare
homage or adulation
verb
5.
to burn incense in honour of (a deity)
6. (transitive)
to perfume or fumigate with incense
Derived forms
incensation (ˌincenˈsation)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French encens, from Church Latin incensum, from Latin incendere to kindle
incense in British English2
(ɪnˈsɛns)
verb
(transitive)
to enrage greatly
Derived forms
incensement (inˈcensement)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin incensus set on fire, from incendere to kindle
incense in American English1
(ɪnˈsɛns)
verb transitiveWord forms: inˈcensed or inˈcensing
to make very angry; fill with wrath; enrage
Derived forms
incensement (inˈcensement)
noun
Word origin
ME encensen < OFr incenser < L incensus: see incense2
incense in American English2
(ˈɪnˌsɛns)
noun
1.
any of various substances, as gums or resins, producing a pleasant odor when burned: used in some religious ceremonies
2.
the smoke or fragrance from such a substance
3.
any pleasant odor
4.
pleasing attention, praise, or admiration
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈinˌcensed or ˈinˌcensing
5.
to make fragrant with or as with incense; perfume
6.
to burn or offer incense to
verb intransitive
7.
to burn incense
Word origin
ME encens < OFr < LL incensum, incense < neut. of L incensus, pp. of incendere, to kindle, inflame < in-, in, on + candere, to burn, shine: see candescent
Examples of 'incense' in a sentence
incense
Try burning incense or lighting a scented candle.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Not so much as an incense burner.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Flowers and incense sticks were placed at the murder scene.
The Sun (2008)
The temples are gold and glittery and smell of incense.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
People used to burn incense to please them.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The smell of incense mixed with chlorine filled the air.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Its resin is used as medicine and varnish and is burnt as incense.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The smell of incense fills the church.
Christianity Today (2000)
Or they smoke with their head in the tumble dryer and burn incense all the time to disguise the smell.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It too is a tree resin used in incense, perfumes and medicines.
The Sun (2011)
Because of its sweet smell, it was used in perfumes and incense.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Worst of all, it smells of incense.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He led me upstairs, into a seductive little bedroom lit with candles and fragrant with more incense.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Careful with that incense burner.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The proposals will incense unions, who will have to hope members set up direct debits when their subscription comes up for renewal.
The Sun (2015)
We would stop on a whim at any temple or hamlet that appealed and absorb the smells and sounds of incense sticks, prayer bells and birdsong.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Now it is more frequently to be found in Eastern mosques, where it is burned as a fragrant incense.
Guyton, Anita The Natural Beauty Book - cruelty-free cosmetics to make at home (1991)
On each mattress there was a patient surrounded by his whole family, complete with a gas stove, electric fan and incense burner.
Magnouloux, Bernard Travels with Rosinante (1990)
She did light the odd stick of incense and recite a line or two of Sanskrit poetry, but her wry humour kept proceedings real.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Landlords were particularly incensed over the rise in prominence of the pre-pack administration, in which a buyer is lined up before the appointment of administrators.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The only smoke that will fill their meeting rooms will be the smoke of incense and, offstage, choirs of maidens will sing sweet and low.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
incense
British English: incense NOUN
Incense is a substance that is burned for its sweet smell, often as part of a religious ceremony.
American English: incense
Brazilian Portuguese: incenso
Chinese: 香常指祭祀时用的
European Spanish: incienso
French: encens
German: Weihrauch
Italian: incenso
Japanese: 香
Korean: 향
European Portuguese: incenso
Latin American Spanish: incienso
Chinese translation of 'incense'
incense
(nˈɪnsɛns; vbɪnˈsɛns)
n(u)
(= perfume) 香 (xiāng)
vt
(= enrage) 激怒 (jīnù)
(noun)
Definition
the odour or smoke so produced
an atmospheric place, pungent with incense
Synonyms
perfume
the perfume of roses
scent
She could smell the scent of her mother's lacquer.
fragrance
a shrubby plant with a strong fragrance
bouquet
a perfume with a bouquet of lavender and rose
aroma
the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread
balm
redolence
(verb)
Definition
to make very angry
This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.
Synonyms
anger
The decision to allow more construction angered the residents.
infuriate
It infuriated her to have to deal with this man.
enrage
Their complete lack of respect enraged me.
excite
I only take on work that excites me.
provoke
I didn't want to do anything to provoke him.
irritate
Their attitude irritates me.
gall
It was their smugness that galled her most.
madden
The ticking of the clock really maddens me.
inflame
They hold the rebels responsible for inflaming the villagers.
exasperate
The constant interruptions were beginning to exasperate me.