Incense — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈin-ˌsen(t)s/ (noun) /in-ˈsen(t)s/ (verb) in·cense

Meaning & Definition of Incense

Incense (noun)

  1. material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
  2. the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned; broadly, a pleasing scent
  3. pleasing attention, flattery

Incense (verb)

  1. to apply or offer incense to
  2. to perfume with incense
  3. to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
  4. to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused

Incense (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a sweet or pleasant smell

    "the heavenly incense of spring flowers"

    similar: aroma, attar, balm, bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, perfume, redolence, scent, spice
    related: essence, odor
    opposite: fetor, malodor, reek, stench, stink

  2. excessive praise

    "count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office"

    similar: adulation, blarney, butter, flannel (British), flattery, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk, taffy
    related: allurements, blandishments, endearments, caresses, compliments, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects, adoration, idolatry, worship, fawning, sycophancy, toadying, cajolement, cajolery, ingratiation, smarm, acclaim, applause, commendation, praise
    near: bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, put-down

Incense (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make angry

    "the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy"

    similar: anger, enrage, inflame, infuriate, ire, mad, madden, outrage, rankle, rile, roil, steam up, tick off, get one's goat, rub the wrong way
    related: affront, aggravate, annoy, burn (up), cross, exasperate, get, huff, irritate, miff, nettle, offend, peeve, pique, provoke, put out, ruffle, vex, antagonize, embitter, envenom
    opposite: delight, gratify, please
    near: allay, assuage, relieve, comfort, console, soothe, appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, calm, lull, quiet, settle, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, disarm, enchant

  2. to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance

    "the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences"

    similar: odorize, perfume, scent
    opposite: stink up
    near: deodorize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Incense

The most common words with a similar meaning to Incense:

British: flannel
aroma, attar, balm, bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, perfume, redolence, scent, spice, adulation, blarney, butter, flattery, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk, taffy, anger, enrage, inflame, infuriate, ire, mad, madden, outrage, rankle, rile, roil, steam up, tick off, get one's goat, rub the wrong way, odorize

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Incense

Words with the opposite meaning of Incense:

fetor, malodor, reek, stench, stink, delight, gratify, please, stink up

Related Words for Incense

essence, odor, allurements, blandishments, endearments, caresses, compliments, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects, adoration, idolatry, worship, fawning, sycophancy, toadying, cajolement, cajolery, ingratiation, smarm, acclaim, applause, commendation, praise, affront, aggravate, annoy, burn (up)

Near Antonyms of Incense

bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, put-down, allay, assuage, relieve, comfort, console, soothe, appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, calm, lull, quiet, settle, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, disarm, enchant, deodorize

Word Forms of Incense

Inflections: incensed, incensing

Origin & Etymology of Incense

Middle English encens, encence, borrowed from Anglo-French encens, borrowed from Late Latin incensum, noun derivative from neuter of Latin incensus, past participle of incendere "to set on fire, kindle," from in- in-:2 + -cendere "to set on fire" candid:1

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Incense

incense cedar

Frequently Asked Questions about Incense

What does "Incense" mean?

"Incense" means material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Incense"?

Other words for "Incense" include aroma, attar, balm, bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, perfume and redolence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Incense" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Incense"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Incense". Common alternatives include aroma, attar, balm, bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, perfume, redolence, scent and spice.

What is the opposite of "Incense"?

Antonyms of "Incense" include fetor, malodor, reek, stench, stink, delight, gratify and please. Near antonyms include bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation and detraction.

How do you use "Incense" in a sentence?

Examples of "Incense" in a sentence: "the heavenly incense of spring flowers"; "count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office"; "the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy".

Is "Incense" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Incense" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Incense"?

"Incense" is pronounced /ˈin-ˌsen(t)s/ as a noun and /in-ˈsen(t)s/ as a verb and divided into syllables as in·cense.

What is the origin of the word "Incense"?

"Incense" comes from Middle English encens, encence, borrowed from Anglo-French encens, borrowed from Late Latin incensum, noun derivative from neuter of Latin incensus, past participle of incendere "to set on fire, kindle," from in- in-:2 + -cendere "to set on fire" candid:1. First known use: 13th century.