Etymology Map
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Perfume

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a fragrant liquid

Where does the word "perfume" come from? It comes from Latin per fumum, passing through French before entering English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
per fumum
Latin · ancient
"through smoke"
early perfumes were incense burned to release scent
2
Stage 2 of 3
parfum
French · 1500s
"perfume"
came through Italian 'perfumare'
3
Stage 3 of 3
perfume
English · 1530s
"scented smoke"
liquid perfumes date from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Perfume’s story begins in Latin: per fumum meant “through smoke.” Early perfumes were incense burned to release scent. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as parfum. Came through Italian 'perfumare'. It reached English by 1530s as perfume. Liquid perfumes date from the 1600s. Today, perfume means a fragrant liquid.