incense

UK: noun: /ˈɪnsɛns/, verb: /ɪnˈsɛns/

US: /ˈɪnsɛns/

US: (n. in′sens; v. in sens′)

Inflections of 'incense' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

incenses

v 3rd person singular

incensing

v pres p

incensed

v past

incensed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cense¹ /ˈɪnsɛns/  n. [uncountable]

1. a substance producing a sweet odor when burned.
2. the perfume or smoke arising from incense.

in•cense² /ɪnˈsɛns/   v. [~ + object] , -censed, -cens•ing. 

1. to arouse the anger of;
   enrage:
   incensed that his friend had approached the boss without consulting him.

in•cense•ment, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cense¹  (in′sens), n., v., -censed, -cens•ing. 
n. 

1. an aromatic gum or other substance producing a sweet odor when burned, used in religious ceremonies, to enhance a mood, etc.
2. the perfume or smoke arising from such a substance when burned.
3. any pleasant perfume or fragrance.
4. homage or adulation.

v.t. 

5. to perfume with incense.
6. to burn incense for.

v.i. 

7. to burn or offer incense.

• Late Latin as above
• Old French
• Late Latin incēnsum, literally, something kindled, neuter of incēnsus (past participle of incendere to set on fire), equivalent. to incend- (see incendiary) + -tus past participle suffix; replacing Middle English ansens, ensenz
• Middle English 1250–1300

in•cense²  (in sens′), v.t., -censed, -cens•ing. 

1. to inflame with wrath;
   make angry;
   enrage.

• Latin, as above
• Anglo-French
• Latin incēnsus (see incense¹); replacing Middle English encensen
• late Middle English incensen 1400–50

in•cense′ment, n. 
Synonyms

anger, exasperate, provoke, irritate. See enrage. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

incense / ˈɪnsɛns/ noun

1. any of various aromatic substances burnt for their fragrant odour, esp in religious ceremonies
2. the odour or smoke so produced
3. any pleasant fragrant odour; aroma

verb

1. to burn incense in honour of (a deity)
2. (transitive) to perfume or fumigate with incense

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French encens, from Church Latin incensum, from Latin incendere to kindle

incense / ɪnˈsɛns/ verb

1. (transitive) to enrage greatly

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin incensus set on fire, from incendere to kindle

inˈcensement noun