What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incense
Example
The priest lit the incense during the ceremony. [incense: noun]
Example
The room was filled with the sweet smell of burning incense. [incense: adjective]
fragrance
Example
She sprayed some fragrance on her wrists before leaving the house. [fragrance: noun]
Example
The garden was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers. [fragrance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fragrance is more commonly used than incense in everyday language. Fragrance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incense is less common and refers to a specific type of fragrance used for religious or spiritual purposes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incense and fragrance?
Both incense and fragrance can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, incense may be more associated with a formal or ceremonial tone, while fragrance is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels.
