French Conversation · Level 46
74 words
French word
parfum
Pronunciation
IPA/paʁfœ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounscent
Example
Le parfum des fleurs emplit la pièce.
The scent of the flowers fills the room.
More examples
Elle préfère un parfum floral en été.
She prefers a floral fragrance in summer.
Core concept
One recognizable scent carried through the air, or the aroma and flavor released by an ingredient in food.
Common phrases
un parfum floral
a floral fragrance
mettre du parfum
put on perfume
Similar words
odeur: A general smell that may be pleasant or unpleasant.
senteur: A delicate and elegant pleasant scent.
arôme: A food or drink aroma associated with its taste.
fragrance: A manufactured pleasant scent used in perfume or cosmetics.
Definition in French
Odeur plaisante ou caractéristique perçue par le nez; désigne aussi les préparations parfumées et, en cuisine, l'arôme associé à un ingrédient.
Word origin
The noun parfum developed from Old French parfumer, which is linked to Latin per fumum, 'through smoke', an early way of spreading fragrant substances.
Usage tips
- The final m is not pronounced as a separate consonant; the ending -um forms a nasal vowel in standard French pronunciation.
Other meanings
- perfumenoun
- flavornoun
Opposites
- puanteurstenchnoun
Related words
- parfumerperfumeverb
- parfuméscentedadjective