musk

UK: /ˈmʌsk/ US: /mʌsk/ ,(musk)

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

musk /mʌsk/   n. [uncountable]

1. Animal Behavior a strong-smelling substance obtained from a certain deer and used to make perfumes.
2. an artificial imitation of this substance.

musk•i•ness, n. [uncountable]
musk•y, adj., -i•er, -i•est. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

musk  (musk), n. 

1. a substance secreted in a glandular sac under the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer, having a strong odor, and used in perfumery.
2. an artificial imitation of the substance.
3. a similar secretion of other animals, as the civet, muskrat, and otter.
4. the odor of musk or some similar odor.
5. Botany any of several plants, as the monkey flower, having a musky fragrance.

• Persian mushk
• Late Greek móskos, móschos
• Late Latin muscus (Medieval Latin moschus)
• Middle French musc)
• Middle English musk(e) (1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

musk / mʌsk/ noun

1. a strong-smelling glandular secretion of the male musk deer, used in perfumery
2. a similar substance produced by certain other animals, such as the civet and otter, or manufactured synthetically
3. any of several scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Mimulus, esp the North American M. moschatus, which has yellow flowers and was formerly cultivated for its musky scent
   See also monkey flower
4. the smell of musk or a similar heady smell
5. (modifier) containing or resembling musk: musk oil, a musk flavour

Etymology: 14th Century: from Late Latin muscus, from Greek moskhos, from Persian mushk, probably from Sanskrit mushká scrotum (from the appearance of the musk deer's musk bag), diminutive of mūsh mouse