redolent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "redolent" is correct and usable in written English.
It means having a distinctive scent or fragrance, or evoking strong memories. For example, "The house was redolent with the smell of baking bread."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The future, he explained, was "redolent with possibility", and it would fall to Nicola Sturgeon – a less divisive and in many ways more talented politician – to take the party and broader independence movement to the next level.

The Guardian

It was abundantly clear at last weekend's annual meeting of the World Bank and IMF that the financial crisis has not gone away, as the financial markets realised in the course of last week, with gyrations redolent of sheer panic.

The Guardian

My mother, an artist, I do believe, in her own right, disliked books, particularly fiction, believing it was redolent of sin.

The Guardian - Books

He was a great Wash corr, funnier and more acute than Hitchens which took some doing — Jeremy Beecham (@JeremyBeecham) May 7, 2014 Huge turnout @ St John's Smith Sq for Simon Hoggart's memorial event, the occasion redolent with his characteristic wit, warmth & wisdom — Joan Bakewell (@JDBakewell) May 7, 2014 Simon Hoggart memorial this morning.

The Guardian

Redolent as much of Glee's Sue Sylvester as Dynasty's Alexis Colby, Cookie crackles with nothing-to-lose daring and breathtaking put-downs.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Today, however, Carlyle could scarcely be less redolent of Begbie.

The Guardian - Film

Crucially, the De la Renta brand, a favourite of first ladies and Hollywood stars, is redolent of two qualities Galliano sorely needs to recover: respectability and class.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Coirón's wood-block street scenes adorn the walls of local cafes and hotels and have an energy about them that is vividly redolent of a city whose grit and soul remain intact.

The Guardian - Travel

Designed by British architect Sir Herbert Baker, the Union Buildings are redolent of South Africa's colonial past, their name referring to the union of British and Boers.

The Guardian

The genius of Game of Thrones is that in this rich imagining of a world redolent of the medieval, the rules of a middle ages morality play have been so thoroughly discarded.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

MIMA, to 6 Aug RC Surely one of the coolest photo-artists around, Stan Douglas presents here his renowned series Midcentury Studio, Malabar People and Disco Angola, works redolent with psychological tension and a brooding high contrast, set against backgrounds of endless black.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "redolent" when you want to convey not just a smell but also the memories or associations that the smell evokes. For example, "The old bookstore was redolent of childhood adventures."

Common error

Avoid using "redolent" as a mere synonym for "smelling" or "fragrant". Its power lies in conveying the deeper associations and memories a scent evokes. For instance, instead of saying "The flowers were redolent", consider if they truly trigger a specific memory or feeling.

Linguistic Context

The word "redolent" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns by describing them as having a strong, pleasant scent or being evocative of something. Ludwig showcases how "redolent" enriches descriptions by adding layers of sensory and emotional association.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "redolent" is an adjective that describes something as having a strong, pleasant scent or being evocative of something else. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and frequently used in writing, particularly in news and media sources. To enhance writing, "redolent" should be used when aiming to evoke sensory experiences or associations beyond a simple description. It's key to use "redolent" when there's a desired connection between the scent and something else, like a memory or a place, rather than merely using it as a synonym for "smelling" or "fragrant".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragrant

Focuses specifically on a pleasing scent; less broad than "redolent".

aromatic

Similar to fragrant, emphasizing a strong and often spicy scent.

evocative

Highlights the quality of bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.

reminiscent

Stresses the act of reminding someone of something.

suggestive

Implies a hint or indirect indication, less direct than "redolent".

smelling of

Directly indicates the scent associated with something.

resonant

Emphasizes the depth and richness of the association or memory.

full of

Highlights abundance of something.

imbued with

Suggests being permeated or saturated with a particular quality or feeling.

tinged with

Highlights a slight presence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "redolent" in a sentence?

Use "redolent" to describe something that is strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something else, often due to a particular scent or quality. For instance, "The music was "redolent of" the 1960s" or "The air was "redolent with" the scent of pine".

What's a simple way to explain the meaning of "redolent"?

"Redolent" means having a strong smell or aroma; it can also mean evocative or suggestive, bringing something to mind. It's often used to describe things that remind you of something else because of their scent or other qualities.

Is it correct to say something is "redolent of" or "redolent with"?

Both "redolent of" and "redolent with" are correct, but they carry slightly different nuances. "Redolent of" suggests a characteristic scent or quality, while "redolent with" implies abundance or saturation. For example, "The room was "redolent of" spices", and "The garden was "redolent with" flowers".

What are some words similar to "redolent" that I can use instead?

You can use alternatives like "fragrant", "aromatic", "evocative", or "reminiscent" depending on the context.