The Complete Fragrance Glossary: Every Term You Need to Know
From the bergamot-rose-oakmoss accord that defined Coty's 1917 Chypre to ambergris fixatives and waxy aldehydes, the technical vocabulary becomes immediately usable once defined.
By The Fragrenza Team 4 min read
The world of fragrance has its own language. If you've ever felt lost reading a perfume review or a fragrance forum thread — encountering words like "sillage," "drydown," "maceration," or "chypre" without any context — this glossary is for you. Here are the essential terms, clearly defined.
A–C
Accord
A harmonious blend of fragrance notes that creates a single, unified impression — like a chord in music. An accord might smell like "leather" or "fresh rain" without containing any single ingredient that smells exactly that way.
Aldehyde
A class of synthetic fragrance materials that add a waxy, soapy, metallic shimmer to compositions. Most famously associated with Chanel No. 5, aldehydes were revolutionary when first introduced in fine fragrance.
Ambergris
A rare, waxy substance produced by sperm whales, historically prized for its warm, marine, animalic quality and ability to fix other fragrance materials. Modern perfumery uses synthetic ambergris alternatives (like Ambroxan) extensively.
Aromatic
A fragrance family characterised by herbs and aromatic plants: lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme. Often found in men's fragrances, sometimes in combination with woody or fougère elements.
Base Notes
The heaviest, longest-lasting components of a fragrance. They emerge once top and heart notes have evaporated — typically after 30–60 minutes — and can last many hours. Common base notes: musk, sandalwood, vanilla, vetiver, oud, amber.
C–E
Chypre
A major fragrance family built on the accord of bergamot (top), rose or jasmine (heart), and oakmoss or labdanum (base). The name comes from the French word for Cyprus and was established by François Coty's 1917 fragrance of the same name. Classic chypres have a mossy, earthy character; modern versions tend to be fruitier or flowery due to IFRA restrictions on oakmoss.
Dry-Down
The phase of a fragrance's development after the top and heart notes have faded, when the base notes dominate. The dry-down is the final, most intimate stage of a perfume's life on skin.
EDP (Eau de Parfum)
A fragrance concentration of approximately 15–20% fragrance oil in alcohol, offering good longevity (typically 6–8 hours) and balanced projection. The most common fine fragrance format.
EDT (Eau de Toilette)
A lighter concentration of approximately 5–15% fragrance oil. Fresher, more volatile, typically lasting 3–5 hours. Often preferred for daytime and warm-weather wear.
F–M
Flanker
A new fragrance released as a variation of an existing, successful scent — typically sharing a similar name (e.g., "Intense," "Bleu," "Sport" versions of a popular fragrance). Flankers allow brands to extend a successful franchise.
Fougère
From the French for "fern." A major fragrance family centred on the accord of lavender, oakmoss, and coumarin (a hay-like synthetic). Fougères are fresh, aromatic, and slightly green — the backbone of classic men's fragrance.
Gourmand
A fragrance that evokes edible, food-like qualities: vanilla, caramel, chocolate, coffee, almond. Popularised by Angel (Thierry Mugler, 1992) and now one of the most commercially successful fragrance categories.
Heart Notes
Also called middle notes. The core character of a fragrance, emerging after the top notes fade and lasting several hours. Common heart notes: rose, jasmine, geranium, spices.
IFRA
The International Fragrance Association. Sets voluntary industry guidelines on the use of fragrance ingredients, including restrictions on certain materials that may cause sensitisation. IFRA guidelines influence how modern perfumes are formulated.
Maceration
The process of aging a fragrance concentrate — allowing the raw materials to blend and harmonise over time. Well-macerated fragrances have a rounder, smoother quality.
Musc / Musk
Originally derived from the musk deer gland, now almost exclusively synthetic. Musks provide warmth, softness, and skin-like qualities; they're used in virtually every fragrance. Different synthetic musks (white musk, ambrette, cashmeran) have distinct characters. Read more: What Does Musk Smell Like?
N–Z
Note
An individual scent element in a fragrance — either a single material or a synthetic accord. Fragrance notes are organised into a pyramid of top, heart, and base notes.
Oud
Also called agarwood. A resinous wood produced when the Aquilaria tree becomes infected with a specific mould. One of the most expensive natural fragrance materials in the world, with a deep, dark, smoky-sweet character. Read more: Oud in Perfumery
Projection
How far a fragrance radiates from the skin into the surrounding space. High-projection fragrances announce themselves in a room; low-projection fragrances stay close to skin.
Sillage
From the French for "wake" (as in a ship's wake). The scented trail a fragrance leaves as you move through a space. High sillage means others will notice your fragrance as you pass. Read more: What Is Sillage?
Skin Scent
A fragrance that projects very close to the skin, detectable only to someone in close proximity. Often desirable in romantic or intimate contexts.
Top Notes
The first impressions of a fragrance — light, volatile molecules that evaporate within 15–30 minutes of application. Common top notes: bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, pink pepper, basil.
Vetiver
A grass grown primarily in Haiti and Indonesia whose roots produce an earthy, smoky, slightly citrusy aromatic material. A classic, sophisticated base note used extensively in fine fragrance.
White Musk
A category of synthetic musk materials that smell clean, soapy, and skin-like — very different from traditional animalic musks. Widely used in fresh and floral fragrances.
Now that you speak the language, explore our best-sellers collection with fresh ears — and a sharper nose.
