aromatic
Americanadjective
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having an aroma; fragrant or sweet-scented; odoriferous.
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Chemistry. of or relating to an aromatic compound or compounds.
noun
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a plant, drug, or medicine yielding a fragrant aroma, as sage or certain spices and oils.
adjective
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having a distinctive, usually fragrant smell
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(of an organic compound) having an unsaturated ring containing alternating double and single bonds, esp containing a benzene ring; exhibiting aromaticity Compare aliphatic
noun
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Relating to an organic compound containing at least one benzene ring or similar ring-shaped component. Naphthalene and TNT are aromatic compounds.
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Compare aliphatic
Other Word Forms
- aromatically adverb
- aromaticness noun
- nonaromatic adjective
- nonaromatically adverb
- unaromatic adjective
- unaromatically adverb
Etymology
Origin of aromatic
1325–75; Middle English aromatyk (< Middle French ) < Late Latin arōmaticus < Greek arōmatikós. See aroma, -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Herbs: Specifically, thyme, tarragon and rosemary — aromatic herbs that go well in almost any savory dish.
From Salon
The researchers replaced the carbon atoms in an aromatic compound -- a class of exceptionally stable molecules in organic chemistry -- with silicon atoms.
From Science Daily
The dried herbs toast just enough to release their oils, turning the air warm and aromatic.
From Salon
Every good soup, no matter how humble or ornate, seems to rely on at least a few of the same quiet categories: something aromatic to begin, something hearty to anchor it, something savory for depth.
From Salon
The curry is served with a bed of aromatic Basmati rice, making it a hearty yet easy meal to enjoy for workday lunches and weeknight dinners.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
