Popular Fragrance Terms & What They Mean

An A to Z dictionary of fragrance definitions and terms. This alphabetical perfume glossary contains a thorough listing of fragrance lingo, to help you talk like an in-the-know perfumista.

An A to Z dictionary of perfume ingredients. This glossary contains a thorough list of perfume ingredients, used to create your favourite designer perfumes and mass-market fragrances.

What is ambergris? Learn about the perfume ingredient ambergris, including where it comes from, how it is collected, its use in history, what it smells like, and a list of ambergris perfumes for women to try.

What are aldehydes? Learn about the aldehyde perfume ingredient, including how it is created, when it was first used in perfumes, what it smells like, and a list of aldehydic pefumes for women.

What is oud? Learn about the perfume ingredient oud (aka oudh or agarwood), including its origin, how it is used by fragrance producers, what it smells like, and a list of oud pefumes for women.

What is vetiver? Learn about the perfume ingredient vetiver (aka vetyver), including where it comes from, its use in history, what it smells like, and a list of vetiver fragrances for women and men to try.

What is civet and civet oil? Learn about the perfume ingredient civet, including where it comes from, what it smells like, and a list of perfumes for women that use civet musk.

What is labdanum? Learn about the perfume ingredient labdanum, including its origin, method of extraction and production, its ancient history as a perfume ingredient and in herbal medicine, what it smells like, and a list of labdanum fragrances for women and men.

What is calone? Learn about the perfume ingredient calone, including its origin and use as a perfume ingredient, what it smells like, and a list of calone fragrances for women and men.

What is castoreum? Learn about the perfume ingredient castoreum, including its origin, method of extraction and production, its use as a perfume ingredient and in food and medicine, what it smells like, and a list of castoreum fragrances for women and men.

What is bergamot? Learn about the perfume ingredient bergamot, including its origin, method of extraction, use as a perfume ingredient and in herbal medicine, what it smells like, and a list of bergamot fragrances for women and men.

What is patchouli? Learn about the perfume ingredient patchouli, including its source, method of extraction, uses in ancient history, traditional medicine and modern industrial products, what it smells like, and a list of patchouli fragrances for women and men.