If something is aromatic, it smells good. Think fragrant roses, Middle Eastern spices, freshly cut grass, spring rain, leaves burning in fall.
Aromatic derives from the Greek aromatikos for “sweet spice.” It is related to aroma, but there is one key difference between the meanings of the two words. While aromatic means "having a pleasant smell," Aroma means just "smell"––that smell could be pleasant, or it could be the nastiest, mustiest, old-cheesiest smell on the planet. Say, "What is that pleasant aroma wafting from your kitchen?" or "What is that aromatic smell?" and you'll be saying the same thing.
