Cheirosa

Cheirosa is a feminine adjective in Brazilian Portuguese meaning “fragrant” or “having a pleasant scent.” The masculine form is cheiroso. The word derives from cheiro, meaning smell or scent, with the suffix -osa used to form adjectives that express abundance or quality. While primarily used to describe scents, cheirosa can apply to people, cosmetics, or environments that emit a pleasant odor.

In everyday language, cheirosa describes someone who smells good, often in reference to personal fragrance, body care products, or hygiene. It can also describe products or spaces with an appealing aroma, such as a lotion, perfume, or a room with a pleasing scent. The expression is informal and more common in casual speech, social media, and marketing for grooming or beauty items.

Cultural and usage notes: in Brazilian Portuguese, cheirosa may carry a positive and affectionate nuance, sometimes associated with charm or attractiveness, particularly when talking about a person. It is less likely to be used in formal writing, where more neutral terms like fragrante or perfumado might appear. In European Portuguese, the form cheirosa is understood but less frequent; cheiroso and cheiro are common alternatives. As with many color and scent descriptors, context and tone influence whether cheirosa reads as light, playful, or casual.