a faint fragrance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a faint fragrance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or delicate scent that is present in the air or in a particular environment. Example: "As she walked through the garden, she noticed a faint fragrance of jasmine lingering in the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The guru himself is clad in a diaphanous saffron robe, and a faint fragrance of the perfume of sandalwood paste emanates from his person.

The New York Times

In this setting, with tea tables set up in view of the original parterre garden, still graced with its original boxwood, we caught just a faint fragrance of the Gilded Age.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The galleried walkways glimmer with the clean, faint fragrance of undisturbed air.

The Guardian

Soft, brackish air drifted up to them off the Hudson, mingling with the fumes from the West Side Highway, the charcoal of the grilled shrimp before them, and the faint fragrance of roses in planters all around the terrace walls.

The New York Times

So are Amelle Berrabah, 25, who still has the faint fragrance of new girl about her despite having replaced original Babe Mutya Buena in 2005, and Heidi Range, 26, the Scouser of the group, whose white Chanel handbag and killingly high heels say "noughties girl group" loud and clear.

The Guardian - Music

A faint aroma of the absurd clung to their names.

The New Yorker

Clean floor, a faint scent of grease.

Los Angeles Times

." A faint scent of myrrh wafts through the rooms.

Los Angeles Times

The vestibule itself was somewhat warmer, but a breeze blew under the door, or so Sir Gravulet fancied, a breeze that mayhap gave a little howl as it swooped through the crack, and with it the faintest fragrance of debilitating loveliness, or so it was imagined by the changeling knight.

Vice

It also left me with the archetype of Phuong: 'I thought that if I smelt her skin it would have the faintest fragrance of opium, and her colour was that of the small flame.

Forbes

A faint chorus of "M.V.P".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scents, be specific about the source of the fragrance. Instead of just saying "a faint fragrance of flowers", specify "a faint fragrance of jasmine" or "a faint fragrance of roses" to create a more vivid image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid piling up too many adjectives before "fragrance". Saying "a faint, delicate, sweet fragrance" can sound redundant. Choose the most impactful adjective or use figurative language to enhance the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a faint fragrance of" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It provides information about the scent associated with something, emphasizing its subtlety. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a faint fragrance of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing a subtle scent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It functions descriptively, adding sensory detail to writing. While relatively uncommon, it appears primarily in news and media sources. For alternatives, consider phrases like "a subtle scent of" or "a delicate aroma of" for similar nuances. When using the phrase, remember to be specific about the source of the fragrance to create a more vivid image. Avoid overuse of descriptive adjectives to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subtle scent of

Replaces "faint fragrance" with "subtle scent", emphasizing the delicacy of the aroma.

a delicate aroma of

Substitutes "fragrance" with "aroma" and "faint" with "delicate", highlighting the pleasant and understated nature of the smell.

a slight perfume of

Uses "perfume" instead of "fragrance", suggesting a manufactured or enhanced scent, and "slight" for subtlety.

a whisper of scent of

Emphasizes the subtlety of the scent by comparing it to a whisper.

a hint of fragrance of

Replaces "faint" with "hint", indicating a barely perceptible presence of the fragrance.

an imperceptible fragrance of

Uses "imperceptible" to convey that the fragrance is almost impossible to detect.

a mild aroma of

Substitutes "faint fragrance" with "mild aroma", suggesting a gentle and non-overpowering smell.

a trace of fragrance of

Indicates that only a very small amount of the fragrance is present.

a ghost of fragrance of

Creates a more poetic and evocative description of the fragrance's faintness.

a sheer fragrance of

Highlights the transparency and lightness of the fragrance.

FAQs

How can I use "a faint fragrance of" in a sentence?

You can use "a faint fragrance of" to describe a subtle and delicate scent. For example, "As she walked through the garden, there was "a faint fragrance of" lavender in the air."

What can I say instead of "a faint fragrance of"?

Alternatives include "a subtle scent of", "a delicate aroma of", or "a slight perfume of", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a faint fragrance smell of"?

Yes, "smell" is redundant because "fragrance" already implies a scent. Saying ""a faint fragrance of"" is sufficient and more concise.

What's the difference between "a faint fragrance of" and "a strong fragrance of"?

"A faint fragrance of" suggests a subtle, barely noticeable scent, while "a strong fragrance of" indicates a powerful and easily detectable scent. The choice depends on the intensity of the smell you want to describe.