Fragrant

Fragrant is an adjective used to describe a substance or environment that emits a pleasant, often sweet, smell. The term is commonly applied to flowers, herbs, spices, perfumes, and other scented products. While similar to aromatic and odorous, fragrant emphasizes an agreeable rather than a neutral or unpleasant odor. In everyday usage, fragrant can also suggest refinement or naturalness in scent.

Originating from Latin fragrans, from fragrare meaning "to emit fragrance," the word entered English through Old French or Middle English usage. The noun form fragrance derives from the same root.

In horticulture, species and cultivars are described as fragrant when their flowers or foliage produce a noticeable scent. Examples include lavender, jasmine, rose, lilac, and many herbs such as thyme or mint. In perfumery and aromatherapy, fragrant ingredients include essential oils and absolutes that contribute to perfume notes, often categorized as top, middle, or base notes.

Fragrant products are valued for mood and memory associations, with scents used in ceremonies, cuisine, and medicine across cultures. The term may be used subjectively, as perceptions of fragrance vary between individuals and contexts; some fragrances may be perceived as strong, faint, or even overpowering.

See also: fragrance, scent, aroma, perfume.