Fragrant is an adjective describing something that emits a pleasant or noticeable scent. In everyday use, it often refers to aromas that are appealing to the senses, and by extension can describe figurative “fragrance” of environments, memories, or situations. The word emphasizes the sensory impact of odor and carries a neutral to positive tone depending on context.
"The garden was fragrant after the rain, filled with roses and jasmine."
"Her fragrant lavender sachet made the room feel calmer."
"The kitchen smelled fragrant, hinting at fresh herbs and citrus."
"A fragrant breeze carried the scent of pine across the coastline."
Fragrant comes from the Latin fragrant-, from the verb fa frangere? Not exactly. The Latin root is fragrare, meaning to emit a perfume, which itself is linked to fārum? The more accurate lineage: from Latin fragrans, present participle of fragrāre “to emit a scent,” from fragr- “smell, perfume,” related to fragrō “to perfume.” The Old French borrowed fragrans as fragrant, adopting the -ant participial form to yield English fragrant by the 14th–15th centuries. Early uses describe perfumes and odors, then broadened to figurative senses (fragrant ideas, fragrant reputations). Over time, “fragrant” retained scent-related literal meaning while also serving metaphorical warmth or pleasantness in discourse. By the 17th–18th centuries, writers used fragrant to convey both literal aroma and figurative appeal, a pattern that persists in modern usage, including branding and descriptive prose. First known English attestations appear in Middle English legal and poetic texts, with more extensive literary usage emerging in early modern prose and poetry. The word’s persistent association with pleasant smell makes it a common descriptor in fragrance industries, culinary contexts, horticulture, and sensory writing.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Fragrant" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Fragrant"
-ant sounds
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Fragrant is pronounced /ˈfræɡrənt/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first syllable features a short a as in 'cat', followed by a light schwa in the second syllable, and ends with a clear 'nt' cluster. You’ll want the tongue relaxed for the /ə/ and a crisp /nt/ ending to avoid a swallowed consonant. Listen for the two syllables: FRAHG-ruhnt, but in IPA: /ˈfræɡrənt/.
Common mistakes: (1) Stress shift, saying /ˈfræɡrənt/ with reduced first syllable or misplacing stress. (2) Slurring the /ɡ/ into /d/ or /t/, which makes it sound like ‘frad-runt.’ Correction: keep a crisp /ɡ/ before the /r/. (3) Mispronouncing the final /nt/ as a nasal only; ensure you release the /t/ fully for clarity. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the /ɡrənt/ cluster: /ˈfræɡrənt/.
In US English you’ll hear /ˈfræɡrənt/ with rhotic influence on the second syllable and a lighter vowel in the second syllable’s schwa. UK English tends to maintain a very clear /ə/ and can have a slightly more aspirated /t/ at the end; /ˈfræɡrənt/. Australian English often features a centralized or slightly more relaxed /ə/ and a non-rhotic tendency maintained, but many speakers shorten the /æ/ slightly; still /ˈfræɡrənt/.
The challenge lies in the consonant cluster /ɡrənt/ at the end and maintaining the short /æ/ in the first syllable while delivering a crisp /t/. The transition from /ɡ/ to /r/ requires a quick contact, and the final /nt/ can become a nasal if not enunciated. For learners, the key is keeping the tongue high for /ɡ/ then retracting to /ɹ/ for the /rə/ and finishing with a clear /nt/.
Yes: the phoneme sequence /ɡr/ together is less common and can invite a subtle delay. Aim for a light /ɡ/ followed quickly by /r/ and then the schwa. Also, ensure you don’t drop the /t/ at the end; it should be released. Remember the word’s two-syllable rhythm with strong initial stress: /ˈfræɡrənt/.
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