What does perfumy mean?
The adjective perfumy describes something that has a pleasant and sweet smell, often in a way that is considered excessive or overpowering. It can be used to characterize a strong, fragrant scent, such as that of perfume, flowers, or scented products. While perfumy can be used to describe something that is simply fragrant or aromatic, it often carries a connotation of being overpowering or artificial. This word is useful for describing situations where a scent is particularly strong or overwhelming, and can be used in a variety of contexts, from describing perfumes and fragrances to commenting on the smell of food or rooms.
adjectiveHaving a pleasant and sweet smell, often in a way that is considered excessive or overpowering. Characterized by a strong, fragrant scent.
- Having a strong, sweet smell
- Overpowering or excessive in scent
"The perfumy fragrance of the flowers filled the air, making it hard to breathe."
"The perfumy scent of her perfume was overwhelming."
"The room was filled with the perfumy aroma of freshly baked cookies."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of perfumy
The word perfumy is derived from the noun perfume, which originated in the 17th century from the French parfum, meaning 'a fragrant or sweet smell'. The French term is itself derived from the Italian profumo, which comes from the Latin pro- and fumare, 'to smoke'.
How perfumy is actually used
Often used to describe something that has a strong or artificial scent, sometimes in a negative way.