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Glite Dictionary
👃 Musky smell 🐾 Like a civet
civetlike

civetlike

8.8
A strong musky animal smell like the scent of a civet used in perfumes
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɪvɪtˌlaɪk/
translation icon : civetino
  • Some vintage perfumes are known for their distinctive civetlike aroma.

Examples

  • The new fragrance had a subtle civetlike undertone that made it stand out.

  • He noticed a civetlike scent lingering in the old leather-bound books.

  • The scent was civetlike.

  • Wow, this perfume smells civetlike!

  • The new fragrance had a subtle civetlike undertone that made it stand out.

  • Some vintage perfumes are known for their distinctive civetlike aroma.

  • He noticed a civetlike scent lingering in the old leather-bound books.

Synonyms

musky
vscivetlike
9 5.5

A strong sweet smell that reminds you of an animal's scent

is more specific, describing one animal musk scent often used in perfumes
redolent of
vscivetlike
2 7.5

A strong smell or feeling that makes you remember something

is about a specific animal musk scent, not just general reminiscence of smell
odorous
vscivetlike
1 5.5

Having a smell you can notice

is stronger and refers to a particular animal musk rather than any smell
musk-scented
vscivetlike
1 6.2

A warm, sweet smell like musk often used in perfumes

is about one specific animal musk scent rather than general musk smell
musked
vscivetlike
7.9

Smelling strongly of a sweet animal scent often used in perfumes

is narrower, referring to a specific animal's musk scent rather than general musk
musky-scented
vscivetlike
5.8

A strong, warm, slightly sweet smell often used in perfumes

is the same idea but limited to one animal's distinctive musk smell
jumentous
vscivetlike
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong smell like a horse or mule

is similar in animal smell but refers to a different specific animal's musk
strong-scented
vscivetlike
3.7

Having a very strong smell that you notice easily

is specific to an animal musk quality rather than any intense odor

How Musky

civetlike
8.8
musky
9 5.5
scented
13 2.3
odorless
  • US
11 3.0

Surface Forms

civetlike positive

Morphology

civetlike = civet (semi-transparent) = civet + like

Formally transparent as 'civet' + '-like', but the smell sense specifically invokes civet musk (specialized knowledge), so learners may not fully derive the meaning.

Etymology

The word civetlike comes from civet, a small animal whose glands make a strong 'musk' that people long used in perfumes. So civetlike means having a warm, animal smell similar to that perfume musk.