<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2014-12-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000095052</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ELIZABETH ARDEN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RDEN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001623705</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Buerstedde Franz-Ferdinand</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>630 FIFTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 2710</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.46</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2014-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2017-12-03</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-12-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9600</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock option granted pursuant to the Issuer's 2014 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan, exercisable in full three years from the date of grant, provided Reporting Person is still serving as a director on such date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents Stock Options received in connection with the Reporting Person's service on the Board of Directors of the Issuer.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of the securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.  The Reporting Person has an understanding with entities affiliated with Rhone Capital L.L.C. pursuant to which he holds his reported securities for the benefit of entities affiliated with Rhone Capital L.L.C.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Beatriz L. Koltis, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2014-12-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0306
4
2014-12-03
0
0000095052
ELIZABETH ARDEN INC
RDEN
0001623705
Buerstedde Franz-Ferdinand
630 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2710
NEW YORK
NY
10111
1
0
0
0
Stock Option (Right to Buy)
17.46
2014-12-03
4
A
0
9600
0
A
2017-12-03
2024-12-03
Common Stock, $.01 par value
9600
9600
D
Stock option granted pursuant to the Issuer's 2014 Non-Employee Director Stock Award Plan, exercisable in full three years from the date of grant, provided Reporting Person is still serving as a director on such date.
Represents Stock Options received in connection with the Reporting Person's service on the Board of Directors of the Issuer.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of the securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.  The Reporting Person has an understanding with entities affiliated with Rhone Capital L.L.C. pursuant to which he holds his reported securities for the benefit of entities affiliated with Rhone Capital L.L.C.
/s/ Beatriz L. Koltis, Attorney-in-Fact
2014-12-05