Perfume Dictionary

Here is a Perfume Dictionary (A to Z) with short definitions for each key term used in perfumery:

A

  • Accord: A blend of several fragrance notes that create a new, unified scent.

  • Aldehyde: Synthetic compounds often used to add sparkle or brightness to perfumes.

  • Amber: A warm, sweet, resinous accord often used as a base note.

  • Animalic: Notes derived from or mimicking animal sources, adding sensuality or depth.

B

  • Base Notes: The longest-lasting part of a fragrance, forming its foundation.

  • Balsamic: Warm, sweet, resinous scent profile often used in orientals.

  • Blend: The artful mixing of ingredients to create a fragrance.

  • Bloom: The point when a perfume fully opens up on the skin after initial application.

C

  • Chypre: A fragrance family based on a contrast of citrus top notes and a mossy, woody base.

  • Citrus: Fresh, zesty top notes derived from fruits like lemon, bergamot, or orange.

  • Cold Throw: The scent a candle gives off when it’s not burning (also used metaphorically for perfume in the bottle).

D

  • Dry Down: The final stage of a perfume’s development on the skin.

  • Diffusion: How a fragrance spreads in the air.

  • Decant: A small amount of perfume transferred from a larger bottle into a smaller container.

E

  • Eau de Cologne: A light fragrance with 2–5% perfume oil concentration.

  • Eau de Parfum (EDP): A stronger concentration, typically 15–20% perfume oils.

  • Eau de Toilette (EDT): Medium-light concentration, around 5–15% perfume oils.

  • Essential Oil: Natural oils extracted from plants, used as raw materials in perfumery.

F

  • Flanker: A variation of an existing perfume, often with a new twist.

  • Floral: One of the main fragrance families; based on the scent of flowers.

  • Fougère: A fragrance family with lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin—classic and aromatic.

  • Fixative: Ingredients that help a fragrance last longer.

G

  • Gourmand: Fragrances that smell edible or dessert-like (e.g., vanilla, caramel).

  • Green: Crisp, fresh notes reminiscent of cut grass, leaves, or stems.

H

  • Heart Notes: The "middle" phase of a perfume, appearing after the top notes fade.

  • Herbal: Notes from aromatic herbs like basil, rosemary, or mint.

I

  • Indolic: A scent characteristic of jasmine and other white flowers; can be animalic or narcotic.

  • Infusion: A method of extracting scent by steeping materials in oil or alcohol.

J

  • Juice: Slang for the perfume liquid inside the bottle.

K

  • Keton: A type of organic compound used in perfumery, often in synthetic musks.

L

  • Layering: Wearing multiple fragrances or scented products together.

  • Leather: A warm, smoky, slightly animalic scent note.

  • Longevity: How long a fragrance lasts on the skin.

M

  • Musk: A base note originally from animals (now synthetic), adds warmth and softness.

  • Middle Notes: See Heart Notes.

  • Maceration: Letting perfume rest after blending so the ingredients meld properly.

N

  • Nose: A term for a perfumer, the person who creates fragrances.

  • Natural: Ingredients derived directly from nature (vs. synthetic).

O

  • Oriental: A warm, spicy, exotic fragrance family (now often called “amber”).

  • Olfactory: Relating to the sense of smell.

  • Ozonic: A fresh, clean note reminiscent of air or water.

P

  • Projection: How far a scent radiates from the skin.

  • Parfum (Extrait de Parfum): The most concentrated form of fragrance, with 20–30% oils.

  • Patchouli: A deep, earthy, woody note, often used in the base.

Q

  • Quiet Sillage: A term for fragrances that stay close to the skin and don’t project much.

R

  • Resin: Sticky substances from trees used for their warm, sweet, or smoky aromas.

  • Rose: One of the most classic and versatile floral notes.

S

  • Sillage: The scent trail a perfume leaves behind.

  • Soliflore: A perfume focused on one single flower note.

  • Synthetic: Man-made aroma chemicals used in fragrance creation.

T

  • Top Notes: The first impression of a fragrance, usually light and fresh.

  • Tonka Bean: A sweet note reminiscent of vanilla, almonds, and cinnamon.

  • Tincture: A scent extract made by soaking material in alcohol.

U

  • Undertone: A subtle scent or nuance beneath the main notes.

  • Unisex: Fragrances designed to appeal to all genders.

V

  • Vanilla: A sweet, warm, comforting note used widely in perfumery.

  • Vetiver: A grassy, woody note often used in masculine scents.

W

  • Woody: A fragrance family featuring notes like cedar, sandalwood, and oud.

  • Warm: A descriptor for perfumes with cozy, rich, often spicy notes.

X

  • Xerjoff: A niche perfume house; also used to refer to ultra-luxury or artisanal brands.

Y

  • Ylang-Ylang: A sweet, exotic floral note used in many classic perfumes.

Z

  • Zesty: A bright, citrusy quality often found in top notes.