Etymology Map
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Aroma

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a distinctive, usually pleasant smell

Where does the word "aroma" come from? It comes from Greek arōma, passing through Latin before entering English (1810s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
arōma
Greek · ancient
"spice"
used for spices and sweet herbs
2
Stage 2 of 3
aroma
Latin · ancient
"spice"
sweet-smelling plants
3
Stage 3 of 3
aroma
English · 1810s
"a pleasant smell"
shifted from the spice to its pleasing smell
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Read the full story

Aroma’s story begins in Greek: arōma meant “spice.” Used for spices and sweet herbs. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as aroma. Sweet-smelling plants. It reached English by 1810s as aroma. Shifted from the spice to its pleasing smell. Today, aroma means a distinctive, usually pleasant smell.