aromatic

[ar-uh-mat-ik]

adjective

1. having an aroma; fragrant or sweet-scented; odoriferous.

2. Chemistry.,  of or relating to an aromatic compound or compounds.

noun

1. a plant, drug, or medicine yielding a fragrant aroma, as sage or certain spices and oils.

2. aromatic compound.

aromatic

/ ˌærəˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. having a distinctive, usually fragrant smell

2. (of an organic compound) having an unsaturated ring containing alternating double and single bonds, esp containing a benzene ring; exhibiting aromaticity Compare aliphatic

noun

1. something, such as a plant or drug, giving off a fragrant smell

aromatic

1. Relating to an organic compound containing at least one benzene ring or similar ring-shaped component. Naphthalene and TNT are aromatic compounds.

2. Compare aliphatic

Other Word Forms

• aromatically adverb
• aromaticness noun
• nonaromatic adjective
• nonaromatically adverb
• unaromatic adjective
• unaromatically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of aromatic¹

1325–75; Middle English aromatyk (< Middle French ) < Late Latin arōmaticus < Greek arōmatikós. See aroma, -ic

Example Sentences

The grape flavor is both strong and aromatic without overpowering the gummies’ sourness.

From Salon

“They are kind of sweet, but very differently with floral and earthy notes. And the beets are pretty aromatic too.”

From Salon

Another had high levels of a class of contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause headaches, coughing, skin irritation and, over long periods of exposure, can come with an increased risk of cancer.

From Los Angeles Times

They can be incorporated into pesto, using a combination of basil or other greens and a fatty cheese, or as an aromatic in a vinaigrette.

From Salon

Both areas were tested for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are all chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fragrant 
• perfumed www.thesaurus.com
• pungent 
• savory 
• scented www.thesaurus.com
• spicy 
• sweet