Meaning of perfume in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈpərˌfjum/

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    UK accent

  1. Verb

    perfume

    Definitions

    1. fill or impregnate with an odor

    Examples

    • « orange blossoms prerfumed the air in the garden »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. apply perfume to

    Examples

    • « She perfumes herself every day »

    Derived terms

  3. Noun

    perfume

    Etymology

    mid 16th century (originally denoting pleasant-smelling smoke from a burning substance, especially one used in fumigation): from French parfum (noun), parfumer (verb), from obsolete Italian parfumare, literally ‘to smoke through’

    Definitions

    1. a toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor

    Derived terms

  4. 2. a distinctive odor that is pleasant

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « But, having a perfume and license, in general, is a financial necessity. A designer must, to reap back the money spent on prototypes and all that sort of thing. »
    Vivienne Westwood
  • « Beauty is an ecstasy it is as simple as hunger. There is really nothing to be said about it. It is like the perfume of a rose: you can smell it and that is all. »
    W. Somerset Maugham
  • « Men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass. »
    John Steinbeck
  • « Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless but all together perfume the air. »
    Georges Bernanos
  • « Happiness is perfume, you can't pour it on somebody else without getting a few drops on yourself. »
    James Van Der Zee

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