What is fragrant? Pronunciation and usage in English

fragrant means . Learn how to pronounce and use fragrant through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of fragrant

fragrantadjective

/ˈfreɪɡrənt//ˈfreɪɡrənt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "fragrant" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • "frag-": This part is tricky! It’s pronounced like "frahg" – almost like you're saying "frag" and then adding a quick, short "g" at the end. It's not a hard "g" sound like in "gate." Think of it as a subtle, almost breathy "g."
  • "-ant": This is a straightforward "-ant" sound, like in "plant" or "want."

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is pronounced something like: "frah-gant"

3. Phonetic Transcription (for the truly precise):

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /frəˈɡrɑːnt/

Let's break down that transcription:

  • /frə/ - "fruh" – The ‘r’ is very lightly tapped, almost silent. The ‘ə’ is a schwa sound (a very short, neutral vowel – like the 'a' in "about").
  • /ˈɡrɑːnt/ – "grahnt" – The ‘ɡ’ is a typical 'g' sound. The ‘ɑː’ is a broad ‘a’ sound, like in "father" or “car.”

4. Tips for Saying It Correctly:

  • Don’t overemphasize the “g”: The “g” in “frag-” should be very soft and quickly blended into the "rah" sound.
  • The "r" is light: Don’t pronounce a strong "r" sound. It's practically silent.
  • Schwa for the first syllable: The first syllable ("fra") is spoken with the schwa sound – short and unstressed.

5. Listen for Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

  • Google Search: Search for “how to pronounce fragrant” on Google. You'll find audio clips from dictionaries (like Merriam-Webster and Cambridge) and YouTube videos.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/fragrant/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.

To help me give you more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning English as a second language?

Usage and examples with the word fragrant in English

Let's break down how to use the word "fragrant" in English. It's a lovely word that describes a delightful smell!

1. Meaning:

  • Fragrant means having a pleasant, sweet smell. It suggests a delicate and appealing aroma. It's more than just "smelly"—it's good smelly!

2. How to Use It – Examples:

  • Describing Flowers: "The roses were incredibly fragrant, filling the room with their sweet scent."
  • Describing Food: "The freshly baked bread was fragrant with yeast and warm butter." or "The spices in the curry created a fragrant aroma."
  • Describing Perfume/Essential Oils: "She wore a fragrant perfume with notes of jasmine and vanilla." or "The diffuser released a fragrant blend of lavender and chamomile."
  • Describing Nature: "The forest was fragrant with pine needles and damp earth after the rain."
  • Describing a Person (often subtly): "He had a fragrant scent of sandalwood – a comforting and inviting aroma." (Using this can be tricky – it implies the person has used something to smell nice, rather than a natural scent.)

3. Grammar:

  • Adjective: “Fragrant” is an adjective, so it always comes before the noun it describes:
    • "The fragrant flowers"
    • "A fragrant cake"

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Aromatic
  • Perfumed
  • Sweet-smelling
  • Pleasant-smelling
  • Spicy (sometimes, depending on the scent)
  • Floral (if related to flowers)

5. Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Intensity: "Fragrant" implies a noticeable but not overpowering scent. "Pungent" or "strong-smelling" suggests a more intense (and potentially unpleasant) odor.
  • Subjectivity: Smell is very subjective! What one person finds fragrant, another might not.

6. Let's Practice!

Here are some sentences where you can try using "fragrant":

  • "The bakery was filled with the fragrant smell of cinnamon rolls."
  • "After the thunderstorm, the air was fragrant with ozone."
  • "The artisan candles were labeled as having a fragrant blend of citrus and herbs."

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Help you write a sentence using "fragrant"?
  • Explain how "fragrant" differs from other words like “smelly”?

Synonyms for the word fragrant

Practice with vocabulary fragrant

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The freshly brewed jasmine tea filled the room with a wonderfully ________ scent.
  2. Many tropical flowers are known for their intensely ________ blossoms, attracting pollinators from afar.
  3. The chef explained that the rich ________ of roasted garlic and herbs was essential to the dish's appeal.
  4. The new air purifier effectively eliminated the lingering, rather ________ fumes from the industrial solvent.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which adjective best describes a pleasant and sweet-smelling flower? (A) Foul (B) Putrid (C) Fragrant (D) Odorous

  2. Select the words that describe the pleasant smell emanating from a high-quality essential oil diffuser. (A) Aromatic (B) Pungent (C) Fragrant (D) Rancid (E) Perfumed

  3. Identify the adjectives that would appropriately describe a luxurious, high-end soap. (A) Caustic (B) Fragrant (C) Soapy (D) Scented (E) Detergent

  4. Which of the following describes the pleasant, distinctive smell of freshly baked bread? (A) Malodorous (B) Unscented (C) Aromatic (D) Odorless

  5. What word describes an extremely strong and sharp smell, often unpleasant, that might sting the nose? (A) Bland (B) Pungent (C) Mild (D) Subtle (E) Delicate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The rose garden gave off a lovely smell throughout the evening. Rewrite using "fragrant" or a related word form:

  2. The subtle perfume of the blossoms drifted through the open window. Rewrite using "fragrant" or a related word form:

  3. After the rain, the forest had a strong, earthy smell. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "fragrant"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. fragrant
  2. fragrant
  3. aroma
  4. pungent

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. (C) Fragrant
  2. (A) Aromatic, (C) Fragrant, (E) Perfumed
  3. (B) Fragrant, (D) Scented
  4. (C) Aromatic
  5. (B) Pungent

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The rose garden was wonderfully fragrant throughout the evening.
  2. The subtle fragrance of the blossoms drifted through the open window.
  3. After the rain, the forest had a strong, earthy aroma.

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