French Conversation · Level 56
75 words
French word
senteur
Pronunciation
IPA/sɑ̃tœʁ/
Meaning
- feminine nounscent
Example
La senteur du café remplit la cuisine.
The scent of coffee fills the kitchen.
More examples
Dans la boutique, une senteur de savon attirait l'attention.
In the shop, a soap scent was attracting attention.
Core concept
A pleasant or distinctive scent rising from coffee, flowers, food, or a place and revealing something about its source.
Common phrases
senteur de café
scent of coffee
senteur florale
floral scent
senteur de savon
soap scent
Similar words
parfum: A pleasing fragrance found in perfume or scented products.
odeur: A smell in the air, often an unpleasant one.
Definition in French
Odeur agréable ou caractéristique qui se dégage d'une substance, d'un aliment ou d'un lieu.
Word origin
Senteur developed from Old French senteur, formed from sentir with the suffix -eur, and ultimately from Latin sentire, 'to feel' or 'perceive'.
Usage tips
- Senteur usually suggests a pleasant scent, whereas odeur is neutral and often refers to an unpleasant smell.