fragrance

Compared meaning: a pleasant smell (noun).

比较义项：好闻的气味（名词）。

• scent

  Scent is the everyday, neutral word for a smell, pleasant or distinctive; it can be light or strong and describes almost anything, from food to flowers to a person's cologne.

  scent是最普通、中性的表达好闻气味的词，可浓可淡，几乎可用于任何气味，从食物到花香再到一个人身上的古龙水味都可以。

  A faint scent of lavender lingered on her scarf long after the walk.

  散步很久之后，她的围巾上仍残留着一丝淡淡的薰衣草香味。

• aroma

  Aroma is used almost only for the pleasant smell of food or drink, especially something cooking or brewing; it strongly suggests taste and appetite, not flowers or perfume.

  aroma几乎只用来形容食物或饮品散发出的好闻气味，尤其是正在烹饪或冲泡的东西，强烈让人联想到味道和食欲，而不是花香或香水。

  The aroma of sizzling garlic drew everyone straight into the kitchen.

  大蒜煎炒时散发出的香气把每个人都直接吸引进了厨房。

• perfume

  Perfume usually names the smell of a scented product worn on the skin, or a strong, sweet smell reminiscent of one; it is less used for food.

  perfume通常指涂抹在皮肤上的香水制品散发出的气味，或让人联想到香水般浓郁、甜美的气味，较少用于形容食物的气味。

  The perfume of gardenias was so strong it gave her a headache.

  栀子花浓郁的香气太强烈了，让她头疼。

• fragrance 本词

  Fragrance is a more formal, often literary word for a sweet, pleasant smell, typically of flowers or cosmetic products; it is common in advertising and writing, not casual speech.

  fragrance是更正式、偏文学化的词，用来形容甜美、好闻的气味，通常指花香或化妆品的香气，常见于广告和书面语中，而非日常口语。

  This shampoo has a light fragrance of green apple and mint.

  这款洗发水带着淡淡的青苹果和薄荷香味。

Scent, aroma, perfume, and fragrance all mean a pleasant smell. Scent is the neutral, everyday word for almost any smell. Aroma is used almost only for the smell of food or drink. Perfume and fragrance are more formal, describing flowers or perfume-like smells.

这四个词都表示好闻的气味，但语域和搭配有别：aroma几乎只用于食物或饮品散发的香气；perfume和fragrance多指花香或香水般浓郁、偏正式的气味；scent则是最中性、最常用的词，气味或浓或淡都可以用。这里不比较scent作「追踪用的气味踪迹」的意思，也不比较perfume作「香水」这一具体商品的意思。