An aromatic molecule or compound is one that has special stability and properties due to a closed loop of electrons. Not all molecules with ring (loop) structures are aromatic. A general scientific definition can be found below. Aromatic molecules are sometimes referred to simply as aromatics. Molecules that are not aromatic are termed aliphatic. If a molecule contains an aromatic sub-unit, this is often called an aryl group. A prototypical aromatic compound is benzene, so a layperson might prefer to think of an aromatic compound as something that has a ring structure like that of benzene, C6H6.
