What does "incense" mean?
Biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt, often used in religious rites or for aesthetic reasons.
Incense
/ˈɪnsɛns/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt, often used in religious rites or for aesthetic reasons.
- Grammar: incense is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: adulation, agalloch, agape, aggravate.
- Useful contrasts: calm, deodorize, nonritual use.
- Usage evidence: I don't usually burn incense at home.
How to use "incense"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "incense" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "incense" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "incense" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "incense" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "incense" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adulation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "incense", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt, often used in religious rites or for aesthetic reasons. countable, uncountable
- 2 the pleasing scent produced when incense is burned wordnet
- 3 The fragrant smoke released by burning incense (sense 1). countable, uncountable
"When the folding-doors were on such solemn occasions thrown open, and the new Abbot appeared on the threshold in full-blown dignity, with ring and mitre, and dalmatique and crosier, his hoary standard-bearers and his juvenile dispensers of incense preceding him, and the venerable train of monks behind him, with all besides which could announce the supreme authority to which he was now raised, his appearance was a signal for the magnificent jubilate to rise from the organ and music-loft, and to be joined by the corresponding bursts of Alleluiah from the whole assembled congregation."
- 4 a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned wordnet
- 5 Homage; adulation. countable, figuratively, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn. obsolete, transitive
"Twelve Trojan princes wait on thee, and labour to incense / Thy glorious heap of funeral."
- 2 make furious wordnet
- 3 To anger or infuriate. transitive
"I think it would incense him to learn the truth."
- 4 perfume especially with a censer wordnet
- 5 To incite, stimulate. archaic, transitive
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To offer incense to. transitive
"And after this Almachius hastily Bad his ministres fecchen openly Cecile, so that she mighte in his presence Doon sacrifyce, and Iupiter encense. And after this, Almachius hastily Ordered his ministers to fetch publicly Cecile, so that she might in his presence Do sacrifice and burn incense to Jupiter."
- 7 To perfume with, or as with, incense. transitive
"To haue her bound, incenſed with wanton ſweetes, / Her vaines fild hie with heating delicates, / […] / O Ithaca can chaſteſt Penelope hold out."
Example
"I don't usually burn incense at home."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "incense"?
Common synonyms include: adulation, agalloch, agape, aggravate, agitate, aloeswood.
How do you use "incense" in a sentence?
I don't usually burn incense at home.
How do you pronounce "incense"?
Pronounced /ˈɪnsɛns/.
Etymology
From Middle English encens, from Old French encens (“sweet-smelling substance”) from Late Latin incensum (“burnt incense”, literally “something burnt”), neuter past participle of incendō (“I set on fire”). Compare incendiary. Doublet of incienso.