What does aromatising mean?
Aromatising is the British English present participle of the verb "aromatise," meaning to fill something with a pleasant scent or to infuse food and drink with aromatic ingredients. It appears in contexts ranging from cooking — where oils, wines, and syrups are aromatised with herbs and spices — to descriptions of spaces made fragrant by candles, flowers, or incense. The word derives from "aroma," which traces back through Latin to Greek "arōma," meaning spice or sweet herb, making it a close cousin of "aromatic" and "aromatherapy." Though perfectly correct, it is somewhat formal and literary in register; everyday speakers tend to prefer simpler verbs like "scenting" or "perfuming." Its American counterpart is spelled "aromatizing."
verbPresent participle and gerund of "aromatise" (British spelling; US "aromatize"): to add a pleasant scent or aroma to something, or to fill a space with fragrance.
- To fill or permeate something with a pleasant scent or fragrance.
- To add flavour or aroma to food or drink by infusing it with aromatic ingredients.
"She was aromatising the kitchen with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel."
"The chef was aromatising the oil with garlic and rosemary before adding the vegetables."
"Candles flickered on every table, aromatising the hall with the scent of sandalwood."
Every time you simmer spices on the stove, you're doing exactly what perfumers and chefs have done for centuries — aromatising your world, one fragrant molecule at a time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of aromatising
The word comes from "aroma," borrowed into English from Latin "arōma," itself taken from Greek "arōma," meaning spice, seasoning, or sweet-smelling herb. The verb "aromatise" was formed by adding the suffix "-ise" (from French "-iser"), following the pattern of other verbs of this type. Related derivatives include "aromatic" and "aromatherapy," all sharing the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How aromatising is actually used
"Aromatising" is the British spelling; American English uses "aromatizing." The word is relatively uncommon in everyday speech — native speakers more often say "scenting," "perfuming," or simply describe the smell directly.
Easily confused with aromatising
"Aromatic" is an adjective describing something that has a pleasant smell, while "aromatising" is a verb form describing the act of adding such a smell.