ambience

noun

am·​bi·​ence ˈam-bē-ən(t)s How to pronounce ambience (audio)
ˈäm-bē-än(t)s
variants or ambiance
Synonyms of ambience
: a feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing : atmosphere
The restaurant's soft music and candlelight gave it a romantic ambience.

Synonyms of ambience

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Examples of ambience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At night, the space is lit with 450 candles, creating an ambience so romantic that even a Hatfield or McCoy could fall in love if seated across from each other at the table. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026 These unique garden lights offer another easy way to bring in some cozy ambience to your porch or patio. — Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026 After a day of sampling Bayonne ham and cooling off in the Atlantic, return to the rental’s soft mattresses and cozy ambience. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 31 July 2026 Best Hotels & Resorts The Amaya This adults-only boutique hotel brings a quieter, sophisticated ambience to Fort Wayne. — Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ambience

Word History

Etymology

in part from ambi(ent) entry 1 + -ence, in part borrowed from French ambiance (from ambiant "ambient" + -ance -ance)

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ambience was in 1648

Rhymes for ambience

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Browse Nearby Words

ambidextrous
ambience
ambiens
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Cite this Entry

“Ambience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambience. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ambience

noun
am·​bi·​ence
variants or ambiance
ˈam-bē-ən(t)s How to pronounce ambience (audio) ˈäm-bē-än(t)s How to pronounce ambience (audio)
: a feeling or mood that is related to a particular place, person, or thing

More from Merriam-Webster on ambience

Nglish: Translation of ambience for Spanish Speakers

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