An aroma is a pleasant, distinctive smell, especially from food, plants, or other natural sources. The word suggests something more appealing than just any ordinary smell: fresh bread baking in the oven releases a warm, inviting aroma that makes everyone hungry. Coffee shops are famous for the rich aroma that drifts out their doors. A garden full of roses and lavender fills the air with floral aromas.

The word aroma carries a positive feeling. We talk about the aroma of pizza, chocolate chip cookies, or pine trees, but we wouldn't usually describe garbage or dirty socks as having an aroma. For unpleasant smells, we'd use words like odor or stench instead.

Scientists who study aromas have discovered that smell connects powerfully to memory. The aroma of cinnamon might instantly remind you of your grandmother's kitchen, while the aroma of freshly cut grass might bring back memories of summer afternoons. This happens because the part of your brain that processes smells sits very close to the parts that handle memory and emotion, making certain aromas remarkably good at transporting us to specific moments in our lives.