English · Word Candidate

perfume

/ˈpɜːfjuːm/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: perfumes · perfuming · perfumed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A pleasant smell; the scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor.

Noun

Examples

Breezes blowing from beds of iris quickened her breath with their perfume; she saw the tufted lilacs sway in the wind, and the streamers of mauve-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees; she saw a crimson cardinal winging through the foliage, and amorous tanagers flashing like scarl

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A substance created to provide a pleasant smell or one which emits an agreeable odor.

Noun

Examples

She bought a perfume at the airport.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To apply perfume to; to fill or impregnate with a perfume; to scent.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “perfume” mean?

A pleasant smell; the scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor.

Is “perfume” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.