WordGarden.ioambrosial
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /æmbrˈəʊsɪəl/
US
- /æmˈbroʊʒəl/
Meanings
Adjective
deliciously sweet or pleasantly fragrant
Beyond the definition
Imagine the food of the gods—that's what "ambrosial" evokes! Originally, ambrosia was the mythical food believed to grant immortality in Greek mythology. Now, we use it to describe anything exquisitely delicious or wonderfully fragrant. Think ripe peaches on a summer day, a perfectly balanced perfume, or a honeyed dessert. It's more than just tasty; it's divinely good. You might say a particularly beautiful sunset has an "ambrosial quality"—something that feels otherworldly and perfect.
The word "ambrosial" carries the weight of ancient myth, stemming from the Greek ambrosios ("immortal, divine"), the same root as ambrosia. In mythology, ambrosia was the food of the gods (with nectar as their drink), believed to confer immortality and eternal youth. While we no longer believe in literal god-food, "ambrosial" retains that sense of exquisite perfection and otherworldly delight.
Today, it's most often used to describe something exceptionally fragrant or delicious—a taste or scent so pleasing it seems almost too good to be true. You might describe the aroma of freshly baked bread as ambrosial, or the flavor of a perfectly ripe mango. It's not limited to sweetness; it can describe any rich, mouthwatering flavor or captivating scent.
However, "ambrosial" isn't limited to food! It can also be used figuratively to describe anything that evokes intense pleasure or beauty. A piece of music might have an ambrosial quality, or a particularly serene landscape could be described as having an ambrosial atmosphere. Think of Keats' poetry—often filled with imagery so rich and evocative it feels almost…ambrosial.
So, if something transports you to a realm of pure sensory bliss, chances are it's deserving of the adjective "ambrosial"—a taste (or scent or experience) fit for the gods themselves.
Examples
- 1
Food smell
The kitchen filled with an ambrosial smell as the bread came out of the oven.
- Usage
ambrosial is usually literary and more common in writing than in everyday speech
- 2
Food taste
After hours on the trail, even a simple bowl of soup tasted almost ambrosial.
- 3
Poetry
In the poem, the night air is described as ambrosial and heavy with jasmine.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- unpalatable
- foul-smelling
Used with (collocations)
- ambrosial aroma
- ambrosial scent
- ambrosial taste
- ambrosial feast
Word family
Explore
- nectar
- sensory description
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ambrosialadjective