An aromatic plant or food has a strong, pleasant smell of herbs or spices.
...an evergreen shrub with deep green, aromatic leaves.
An aromatic stew waited on the stove.
Synonyms: fragrant, perfumed, spicy, savoury More Synonyms of aromatic
aromatic in British English
(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
3.
something, such as a plant or drug, giving off a fragrant smell
Derived forms
aromatically (ˌaroˈmatically)
adverb
aromatic in American English
(ˌærəˈmætɪk; ˌ ɛrəˈmætɪk)
adjective
1.
of or having an aroma; smelling sweet or spicy; fragrant or pungent
2. Chemistry
of or designating certain cyclic compounds, including benzene, derivatives of benzene, and compounds containing one or more benzene rings: many of these derivativesand compounds have a recognizable odor
see also aliphatic (sense 2), alicyclic
noun
3.
an aromatic plant, chemical, etc.
Derived forms
aromatically (ˌaroˈmatically)
adverb
Word origin
ME aromatik < OFr aromatique < LL aromaticus < Gr arōmatikos < arōma, sweet spice
Examples of 'aromatic' in a sentence
aromatic
It takes its name from the aromatic smell of the foliage.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
What herbs and aromatic oils do you recommend?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The gentle flavour of leeks is easily taken in different directions with soft and aromatic herbs.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The oil is better obtained from one of the aromatic oil companies.
Guyton, Anita The Natural Beauty Book - cruelty-free cosmetics to make at home (1991)
Sprinkle in the parsley and chosen aromatic oil.
The Sun (2014)
They also smell quite aromatic when burnt - much more so than cakes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Streets remain white, tight and aromatic with cooking smells.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Everything comes in white muslin bags, and products feature aromatic oils.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It is an aromatic plant, and before hops were introduced in brewing it was used to flavour ale.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This garden will really benefit from some sunny spells during show week, as it is packed full of interesting aromatic plants.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But it was the pungent, aromatic smell coming from the property that made the neighbours in the quiet suburban terrace increasingly suspicious.
The Sun (2012)
It should also be remembered that when essential oils are blended together their aromatic life span is altered, depending on the mixture.
Price, Shirley Practical Aromatherapy (1987)
It was mind-blowing, with aromatic herbs and wonderful citrus flavours.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The crust is crunchy and flavoursome, containing up to 200 aromatic compounds.
The Sun (2014)
Tip the remaining marinade into the frying pan and sauté for 5 minutes until it smells deliciously aromatic, then add to the meat.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Between the kitchen garden and the church, there is also the herb garden, growing the aromatic and medicinal herbs considered essential by our ancestors.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Grab the chance: plant yourself something aromatic and delicious, and you can be reaping the rewards in your kitchen in a very short time indeed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
aromatic
British English: aromatic ADJECTIVE
An aromatic plant or food has a strong, pleasant smell of herbs or spices.
...an evergreen shrub with deep green, aromatic leaves.
American English: aromatic
Brazilian Portuguese: aromático
Chinese: 芳香的
European Spanish: aromático
French: aromatique
German: aromatisch
Italian: aromatico
Japanese: 芳香の
Korean: 향기로운
European Portuguese: aromático
Latin American Spanish: aromático
(adjective)
Definition
having a distinctive pleasant smell
a shrub with aromatic leaves
Synonyms
fragrant
fragrant oils and perfumes
perfumed
sweetly-perfumed yellow flowers
spicy
Thai food is hot and spicy.
savoury
pungent
The more herbs you use, the more pungent the sauce will be.
balmy
redolent
The air was redolent of cinnamon and apple.
sweet-smelling
sweet-scented
odoriferous
Opposites
rank
,
offensive
,
foul
,
stinking
,
smelly
,
reeking
,
acrid
,
fetid
,
foul-smelling
,
bad-smelling
,
malodorous
,
noisome
,
whiffy (British, slang)
,
niffy (British, slang)
,
festy (Australian, slang)
,
olid
Additional synonyms
in the sense of perfumed
sweetly-perfumed yellow flowers
Synonyms
scented,
smelling,
fragranced,
fragrant,
aromatic
in the sense of pungent
Definition
having a strong sharp bitter smell or taste
The more herbs you use, the more pungent the sauce will be.