In the world of perfumery, there are many terms used by perfumers, retailers, and fragrance professionals to describe how a scent is created, structured, and experienced. Serious fragrance lovers and collectors often use these terms as well.
This guide breaks down commonly used perfumery terms in a clear and easy way. Whether you are exploring fragrances more deeply or attending a beauty industry meet or exposition, understanding these terms will help you speak the language of scent with confidence.
Why Perfumery Terms Matter
Fragrance is both an art and a science. From raw material extraction to concentration levels and scent families, each term reveals something important about how a perfume behaves on the skin and how it is meant to be experienced. Knowing these terms helps consumers make informed choices and allows professionals to communicate more precisely.
Explore the Cheat Sheet
To make this information easier to reference, we’ve also created a downloadable cheat sheet. It breaks down key perfumery terms into simple definitions you can revisit anytime.
Perfumery Terms Cheat Sheet
A quick-reference guide to commonly used perfumery terms. Ideal for fragrance enthusiasts, professionals, and anyone exploring the world of scent.
| Term | Definition |
| ABSOLUTE | A highly concentrated fragrance oil produced using solvents and alcohol. |
| ACCORD | A blend of multiple notes that creates a completely new scent. |
| ANIMAL | Sensual musky notes, now mostly recreated using synthetics. |
| BASE NOTES | Long-lasting notes that form the foundation of a fragrance. |
| CITRUS | Fresh, bright notes derived from citrus fruit peels. |
| CONCRETE | A waxy substance extracted from plants, later refined into an absolute. |
| CORE NOTES | Also known as heart notes; they define the fragrance’s main character. |
| CHYPRE | A fragrance family with mossy, woody, and citrus elements. |
| DISTILLATION | A method of extracting aromatic compounds using steam. |
| EAU DE COLOGNE | A light fragrance with 2–5% fragrance concentration. |
| EAU DE TOILETTE | A fragrance with 5–10% fragrance concentration. |
| EAU DE PARFUM | A stronger fragrance with 10–20% fragrance concentration. |
| ESSENTIAL OILS | Concentrated aromatic oils extracted from plants. |
| EXTRACT | A concentrated aroma obtained from natural or synthetic sources. |
| FOUGÈRE | Green, aromatic scents often featuring lavender and woods. |
| HEADSPACE | A technique used to capture and recreate real-life scents. |
| HESPERIDIC | A term for citrus-based essential oils. |
| MOLECULAR DISTILLATION | A process that purifies essential oils by removing impurities. |
| MACERATION | A method of soaking flowers to extract essential oils. |
| MATURATION | The aging period that allows a perfume to develop fully. |
| NATURAL | Ingredients derived from plant or animal sources. |
| OLFACTORY | Related to the sense of smell. |
| OLFACTIVE FAMILIES | Categories used to classify perfumes by dominant notes. |
| PARFUM | The most concentrated form of fragrance, 20–45% oil. |
| RESINOID | A thick aromatic substance extracted from plant resin. |
| SILLAGE | The scent trail left behind when wearing perfume. |
| SYNTHETIC | Lab-created fragrance ingredients. |
| TOP NOTES | The first and lightest notes detected in a fragrance. |