musk
Perfume fixative source
Musk is a strong, penetrating scent originally obtained from a gland of the male musk deer, used as a base note in perfumery.
The smell is earthy and animalistic—some find it alluring, others overpowering.
Synthetic musks have largely replaced the natural substance.
The adjective musky describes anything with this heavy, pungent quality: a musky cologne, the musky smell of sweat.
Pleasing olfactory quality
- parfumFrench word for perfume
- fixativeSubstance that preserves artwork
- olfactoryOf the sense detecting odors
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
sandalwood · patchouli · civet · ambergris · synthetic · accord · powdery · sensual
Species-specific chemical messengers
- glandsSecreting organs
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- beaverDam-constructing aquatic rodent
- markingIndicating with symbols
territory · rutting · breeding · courtship · pod · feral · primal · instinct
Extreme in degree
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- powerfulHaving great strength
- concentratedGathered or intensified
heady · lingering · pervasive · heavy · bold · strong · penetrating · cloying
Enticing someone romantically
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
- attractionPull toward something
- magnetismForce between poles
- pheromonalOf attractant secretions
intimate · provocative · aphrodisiac · desire · temptation · boudoir · romantic · intoxicating
fragrance
Pleasing olfactory quality
- parfumFrench word for perfume
- fixativeSubstance that preserves artwork
- olfactoryOf the sense detecting odors
amber · sandalwood · patchouli · civet · ambergris · synthetic · accord · powdery · sensual · woody
pheromones
Species-specific chemical messengers
marking · territory · rutting · breeding · courtship · pod · feral · primal · instinct · attraction
intense
Extreme in degree
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- powerfulHaving great strength
concentrated · heady · lingering · pervasive · heavy · bold · strong · penetrating · cloying · thick
seduction
Enticing someone romantically
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
- attractionPull toward something
- magnetismForce between poles
pheromonal · intimate · provocative · aphrodisiac · desire · temptation · boudoir · romantic · intoxicating · captivating
loamy
Rich in humus
fungal · organic · petrichor · vegetal · rooty · truffle · undergrowth · humic · dark · primitive
- fragrancesperfume, cologne, aftershave, essential oils, floral
- Perfumeperfume, top note, top notes, base notes, eau de parfum
- body odorsarmpit smell, sweat, perspiration, foot odor, smelly feet
- defensive chemicalsvenom, toxin, toxins, poison, repellents
- cologne ingredientsbergamot, lemon oil, lavender, rosemary, orange blossom
- perfume notesbergamot, jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli, cedarwood
- Elon Musk
- musk oxenStocky Arctic mammals
- musk oxLarge arctic bovid
- musky smellStrong animal-like scent
- musk melonAromatic orange-fleshed fruit
- natural musk
musky, muskrat, musketeer, muskiness, musks, muskier, muscatel, muskiest