The Complete Fragrance Glossary: Every Term You Need to Know

Fragrance has a specialised vocabulary that rewards learning. This comprehensive glossary covers every term you will encounter in fragrance reviews, boutique consultations, and community discussions — providing the definitional foundation for genuine fragrance literacy.

A–F

Absolute: A highly concentrated aromatic extraction using solvents. Accord: Two or more materials combined to create a unified scent impression. Aldehydes: Synthetic molecules providing sparkle, associated with Chanel No.5. Animalic: Compositions with materials reminiscent of skin, musk, or animal secretions. Aromatic: Herbal or spice-led fragrance character. Base Notes: The final, longest-lasting stage of fragrance development. Chypre: A fragrance family built on bergamot, labdanum, and oakmoss. Concentration: The percentage of aromatic compounds in the formula. Drydown: The base note phase of fragrance development.

G–N

EDP (Eau de Parfum): 15–20% concentration, the luxury standard. EDT (Eau de Toilette): 5–15% concentration. Extrait: 20–40% concentration, the most intense format. Fixative: Materials that slow evaporation of more volatile components. Flanker: A variation on an existing fragrance, typically sharing the name with a modifier. Fougère: A herbal-aromatic masculine family. Heart Notes: The core character that emerges after top notes fade. Musc/Musk: Warm, skin-enhancing materials — natural or synthetic.

O–Z

Oakmoss: Natural material providing chypre character, restricted by IFRA. Oriental: Rich, warm, resinous fragrance family. Projection: The radius of fragrance around the wearer. Sillage: The trail left as the wearer moves. Skin Scent: A fragrance applied minimally, detectable only in close proximity. Top Notes: The first impression — volatile, short-lived. Vetiver: A complex earthy-woody material from Haitian grass roots. Vintage: Pre-reformulation bottles of classic fragrances.