musc
/mysk/masculine
The English word musk is translated into French as musc.
The term refers to a greasy secretion characterized by a powerful odour.
Meaning: greasy secretion with powerful odour (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
musc is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/mysk/
Did you know?
- The French word musc shares a surprising linguistic ancestry with the Sanskrit word for 'testicle', because the original name was inspired by the physical shape of the gland that produces the scent.
- In modern French perfumery, musc typically refers to musc blanc, a synthetic scent that smells clean and powdery rather than animalistic.
- French fragrance houses classify musc as a 'base note', meaning it is the slowest component of a perfume to evaporate from the skin.
Examples in context
- Les muscs sont souvent utilisés en parfumerie pour leur arôme envoûtant.Musk is often used in perfumery for its enchanting aroma.
- L'ambre gris est une substance organique utilisée pour son odeur musquée dans les parfums haut de gamme.Ambergris is an organic substance used for its musky scent in high-end perfumes.
- J'adore cette bougie parfumée, elle dégage une agréable odeur de musc.I love this scented candle, it emits a pleasant musky smell.
- Le musc est utilisé dans ce parfum.Musk is used in this perfume.
- On sent l'odeur du musc ici.We can smell the scent of musk here.
- Ce parfum contient une touche de musc.This perfume contains a hint of musk.
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are in a perfume shop.
- ManonTu aimes cette odeur de musc ?Do you like this musk scent?
- GabrielOui, le musc est très agréable.Yes, the musk is very pleasant.
- ManonC'est un musc assez intense.It is a rather intense musk.
- GabrielC'est vrai, mais il est élégant.That's true, but it is elegant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “musk” translations and entries musc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries musc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
