# incense

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɪnsɛns/ · frequency rank #20,390

## Definitions
1. Biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt, often used in religious rites or for aesthetic reasons.
2. The fragrant smoke released by burning incense (sense 1).
3. Homage; adulation.

## Etymology
From Middle English encens, from Old French encens (“sweet-smelling substance”) from Late Latin incensum (“burnt incense”, literally “something burnt”), neuter past participle of incendō (“to set on fire”). Compare incendiary. Doublet of incienso.

## Easily confused with
- **incest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incense-vs-incest)
- **intense** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incense-vs-intense)
- **inverse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incense-vs-inverse)
- **increase** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incense-vs-increase)
- **incensed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incense-vs-incensed)
- **incase** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/incase-vs-incense)
- **immense** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/immense-vs-incense)

## Common misspellings (10)
`icnense`, `inccense`, `incenes`, `incennse`, `incensse`, `incesne`, `incnese`, `inecnse`, `inncense`, `nicense`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/incense