aromatic
1 of 2adjective
ar·o·mat·ic ˌa-rə-ˈma-tik 
ˌer-ə-
1
: of, relating to, or having aroma:
a
: having a noticeable and pleasant smell : fragrant
aromatic herbs
aromatic wines
b
: having a strong smell
The peat burns with a pungently aromatic smoke.
c
: having a distinctive quality
2
of an organic compound : characterized by increased chemical stability resulting from the delocalization of electrons in a ring system (such as benzene) containing usually multiple conjugated double bonds compare alicyclic, aliphatic
aromatically
ˌa-rə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb ˌer-ə-
aromaticity
ˌa-rə-mə-ˈti-sə-tē
noun ˌer-ə-
ə-ˌrō-mə-
aromatic
2 of 2noun
1
: an aromatic plant or plant part
especially : an aromatic herb or spice
2
: an aromatic organic compound
Synonyms
Adjective
- ambrosial
- fragrant
- perfumed
- redolent
- savory
- savoury
- scented
- sweet
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective aromatic flowers can add greatly to the ambience of a room
Recent Examples on the Web
Quartz, 8 Sep. 2022 On this Thursday, the beloved signature whole fried fish is porgy, served over greens, pea shoots and herbs, enveloping the table with aromatic steam, and the server encourages you to drench pieces in ginger vinaigrette and eat it with your hands. Von Diaz, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 Guests can extend their relaxation in the Vichy rain shower room, Finnish saunas and aromatic steam rooms, and can even enjoy treatments in a private poolside cabana. Rona Berg, Devorah Lev-tov, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2022 Once the water starts simmering, your chicken will be surrounded by an aromatic steam bath that keeps it amazingly moist. Alex Heard, Outside Online, 20 May 2020 Stir in the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 Rich, aromatic, and impossibly supple, Italian leather is as intoxicating as the country's fashion, design, art, and food. Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, 2 June 2022 Made with all-natural ingredients, this complex scent is ideal for the man who is looking for a masculine, aromatic, and earthy scent with a hint of refreshing zest. The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Apr. 2022 Add curry leaves and sauté until aromatic, about 30 seconds more. Kitty Greenwald, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2022 Justin Ward, ExpressNews.com, 14 Apr. 2020 Bruichladdich’s Botanist works well, as does Meunier’s (from France), which includes the usual gin aromatics but is made from beet alcohol. Beth Kracklauer, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2020 Just stir together the oil and vinegar with some aromatics, add in the herbs, taste, drizzle (on everything), and it's done! The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, 9 Apr. 2020 Season the large cavity with salt and pepper; stuff with the remaining aromatics. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 16 Aug. 2019 Add herbs, spices, and other aromatics (garlic! chiles! The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, 23 Mar. 2020 Coquine Chef Katy Millard suggests changing up pasta sauce by mixing different aromatics, vegetables and other ingredients found in the pantry. oregonlive, 19 Mar. 2020 The last part of this choose-your-own-adventure warm cheese snack is the aromatics, which help bridge the sweet and salty bookends. Ali Slagle, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2019 This maintains the oceanic aromatics and sterilizes the seaweed. Joshua M. Bernstein, Popular Mechanics, 26 Feb. 2020 See More
Adjective
The virus was found to be affecting both basmati (aromatic) and non-basmati varieties of rice. Quartz, 8 Sep. 2022 On this Thursday, the beloved signature whole fried fish is porgy, served over greens, pea shoots and herbs, enveloping the table with aromatic steam, and the server encourages you to drench pieces in ginger vinaigrette and eat it with your hands. Von Diaz, Washington Post, 3 June 2022 Guests can extend their relaxation in the Vichy rain shower room, Finnish saunas and aromatic steam rooms, and can even enjoy treatments in a private poolside cabana. Rona Berg, Devorah Lev-tov, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2022 Once the water starts simmering, your chicken will be surrounded by an aromatic steam bath that keeps it amazingly moist. Alex Heard, Outside Online, 20 May 2020 Stir in the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 Rich, aromatic, and impossibly supple, Italian leather is as intoxicating as the country's fashion, design, art, and food. Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, 2 June 2022 Made with all-natural ingredients, this complex scent is ideal for the man who is looking for a masculine, aromatic, and earthy scent with a hint of refreshing zest. The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Apr. 2022 Add curry leaves and sauté until aromatic, about 30 seconds more. Kitty Greenwald, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2022 Noun
For example, if making soup, cook your onions, carrots, garlic and other aromatics. Justin Ward, ExpressNews.com, 14 Apr. 2020 Bruichladdich’s Botanist works well, as does Meunier’s (from France), which includes the usual gin aromatics but is made from beet alcohol. Beth Kracklauer, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2020 Just stir together the oil and vinegar with some aromatics, add in the herbs, taste, drizzle (on everything), and it's done! The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, 9 Apr. 2020 Season the large cavity with salt and pepper; stuff with the remaining aromatics. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 16 Aug. 2019 Add herbs, spices, and other aromatics (garlic! chiles! The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, 23 Mar. 2020 Coquine Chef Katy Millard suggests changing up pasta sauce by mixing different aromatics, vegetables and other ingredients found in the pantry. oregonlive, 19 Mar. 2020 The last part of this choose-your-own-adventure warm cheese snack is the aromatics, which help bridge the sweet and salty bookends. Ali Slagle, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2019 This maintains the oceanic aromatics and sterilizes the seaweed. Joshua M. Bernstein, Popular Mechanics, 26 Feb. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English aromatyk, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French aromatik, aromatique, borrowed from Late Latin arōmaticus, borrowed from Greek arōmatikós, from arōmat-, árōma "fragrant substance, spice" (of obscure origin) + -ikos -ic entry 1
Noun
Middle English aromatyke, noun derivative of aromatyk aromatic entry 1
Note: Compare Anglo-French aromatic "aromatic drink," Medieval Latin arōmaticus "kind of fragrant tree," Latin arōmaticum "fragrant eye ointment" (attested in an inscription).
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing aromatic
Kids Definition
aromatic
adjective
ar·o·mat·ic ˌer-ə-ˈma-tik
: of, relating to, or having a noticeable and pleasant smell
aromatic spices
Medical Definition
aromatic 1 of 2
adjective
ar·o·mat·ic ˌar-ə-ˈmat-ik
1
: of, relating to, or having a smell or odor
2
of an organic compound : characterized by increased chemical stability resulting from the delocalization of electrons in a ring system (as benzene) containing usually multiple conjugated double bonds compare alicyclic, aliphatic
aromatic
2 of 2noun
1
: an aromatic plant, drug, or medicine
2
: an aromatic organic compound
aromaticities
noun
as in fragrancies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fragrancies
- redolences
- fetors
- rancidities
- sniffs
- scents
- stenches
- malodors
- aromas
- odors
- stinks
- perfumes
- smells
- fragrances
- reeks
- funks
- savors
- spices
- ambrosias
- musks
- attars
- bouquets
- ottos
- tangs
- incenses
- savours
- whiffs
- play into (someone's) hands
- play into hands
- play into someone's hands
- play into the hands of someone
- play it by ear
- play it cool
- play it safe
- play it smart
- play itself out
- play lead
- play make-believe
- play merry hell with
- play money
- play nice
- play no part in
- play off against
- play on
- play on or upon
- play on words
- play one's cards
- play one's cards close to one's chest/vest
- play one's cards close to the chest/vest
- play one's cards right
- play out
- play politics