WordGarden.iomusk
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈʌsk/
US
- /ˈməsk/
Meanings
Noun
a strong earthy sweet smell, especially one associated with animals or perfume
a fragrant substance originally obtained from animal glands and now often made synthetically for perfume
Beyond the definition
Musk first meant a strong-smelling substance from the scent gland of the male musk deer, and it became famous in perfume. Today, it usually means a warm, heavy, lasting smell, often with an animal-like or earthy feel. In daily English, people may also use "musky" for a room, fabric, or old space that smells thick, stale, or slightly damp. In perfume, it often refers to a deep base note that helps a scent last longer.
The word comes through Persian mushk. Natural musk is now rarely used, so modern perfumes usually use synthetic musk instead. In stories, a "musky" smell or presence can suggest warmth, closeness, the outdoors, or something slightly wild.
Musk originally referred to a substance taken from the scent gland of the male musk deer, an animal native to parts of Asia. For a long time, it was highly valued in perfume because it had a powerful smell and helped other scents stay on the skin longer. That older meaning still matters when people talk about the history of fragrance.
In modern English, the word is used more broadly. It can mean the smell itself, especially one that is warm, rich, earthy, animal-like, and slow to fade. In perfume writing, musk often names a base note or a family of ingredients that give depth and softness. In everyday speech, "musky" can describe the smell of a room, a coat, a basement, old books, or the air after rain when the scent feels thick, natural, or a little stale.
Today, natural musk is rarely used because of cost and ethical concerns, so commercial perfumes usually rely on synthetic musks. These may smell clean, powdery, skin-like, sweet, or softly animal-like, depending on the type. Because of that, the word can point to several related ideas: the original animal substance, a perfume ingredient, or any deep lingering smell with an earthy or sensual character.
In a story, a cabin may carry a musky smell from wood, dust, and worn cloth. A person might notice the musky scent of skin, fur, or perfume in a crowded room. A forest path after rain can also feel musky, with its mix of soil, leaves, and damp air. So the word lives in both careful perfume language and ordinary description, always suggesting a scent that is strong, close, and hard to ignore.
Examples
- 1
Candle scent
The candle gave off a warm musk that filled the hallway.
- 2
Cologne description
His cologne had notes of musk and cedar.
- Phrasenotes of
small parts of a smell or taste
- 3
Perfume choice
She chose a white musk perfume because it smelled clean and soft.
- 4
Perfume ingredients
Traditional musk came from animals, but most perfumes now use synthetic musk.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- musknoun
Forms
- muskspluralnoun