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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001132302</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>THOMAS JW NEVIL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ELIZABETH ARDEN, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>14100 NW 60 AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI LAKES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33014</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-08-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1198</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>23.2001</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3594</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>(2)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares sold by a trust for the benefit of one of Mr. Thomas' children and for which Mr. Thomas serves as a co-trustee with his wife.  Mr. Thomas disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares and this filing should not be construed as an admission that Mr. Thomas is the beneficial owner of these shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents remainder of the shares owned by the trusts for the benefit of Mr. Thomas' children for which Mr. Thomas serves as co-trustee with his wife. Mr. Thomas disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>J. W. NEVIL THOMAS</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2005-08-16
0
0000095052
ELIZABETH ARDEN INC
RDEN
0001132302
THOMAS JW NEVIL
ELIZABETH ARDEN, INC.
14100 NW 60 AVENUE
MIAMI LAKES
FL
33014
1
0
0
0
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
2005-08-16
4
S
0
1198
23.2001
D
3594
I
(2)
Shares sold by a trust for the benefit of one of Mr. Thomas' children and for which Mr. Thomas serves as a co-trustee with his wife.  Mr. Thomas disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares and this filing should not be construed as an admission that Mr. Thomas is the beneficial owner of these shares.
Represents remainder of the shares owned by the trusts for the benefit of Mr. Thomas' children for which Mr. Thomas serves as co-trustee with his wife. Mr. Thomas disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
J. W. NEVIL THOMAS
2005-08-16