What does musk mean?
Musk is a strong-smelling substance associated especially with the musk deer, a small mammal whose secretion has traditionally been used in perfume and medicines. It can also refer to the distinctive odor itself, often one component within a larger fragrance. The word is usually treated as an uncountable noun when describing the secretion or smell. As a verb, musk means to give off or be characterized by such a strong, musky odor, and it appears more often in literary or descriptive contexts than in ordinary conversation. Musk can suggest heaviness, warmth, animal sharpness, or old-fashioned perfumery, depending on the context. It remains a familiar vocabulary word because it appears in names such as musk deer and in discussions of perfume ingredients, even though natural musk is now uncommon in commercial products.
A strong-smelling secretion produced by certain mammals, especially the musk deer, and used in perfumery and traditional medicines; by extension, a strong odor resembling that secretion.
"The soap was scented with a delicate mixture of lavender and musk."
Usually uncountable when referring to the substance or its smell.
To smell strongly of musk or give off such a smell.
"The warm night seemed to musk of jasmine and damp earth."
Relatively literary; it is often used to describe an intense or memorable odor.
The plural is uncommon and is used for distinct portions, samples, or qualities of musk.
"The laboratory compared the musks extracted from several different sources."
The powerful scent that gave the musk deer its name once made musk a prized ingredient in perfume, despite its animal origins.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does musk come from?
The word entered Middle English as “muske,” borrowed from Old French “musc.” Old French in turn derived it from Latin “muscus,” which came from the Greek “moskhos,” meaning “musk.” The underlying ultimate origin of the Greek term is uncertain, so no more specific derivation should be assumed. Modern derivatives include “musky” and “muskiness,” while “muscone” names a major odor-bearing compound associated with musk.
Related word forms
How musk is actually used
As a noun, musk is usually an uncountable mass noun referring to the secretion or its smell. Countable plural forms are uncommon and may refer to separate samples, doses, or sources of the scent. The verb is relatively literary and is more common in figurative or descriptive writing than in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with musk
Musk is a strong-smelling secretion or scent, whereas must is a pungent paste made from fermented grapes or other fruit.
Musk is an animal secretion or a powerful odor, while mist is a fine suspension of tiny water droplets in the air.