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

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-11-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001482401</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PIRARD PIERRE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ELIZABETH ARDEN, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2400 S.W. 145 AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIRAMAR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Prod. Innov. &amp; Global SC</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-11-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1700</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41277</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This grant of service-based restricted stock will vest in equal thirds over a three-year period on the dates that are two business days following the public announcement of the Issuer's financial results for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (each a &quot;Vesting Date&quot;), but only if the Reporting Person is still employed with the Issuer on the applicable Vesting Date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Pierre B. Pirard</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-11-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0303
4
2010-11-02
0
0000095052
ELIZABETH ARDEN INC
RDEN
0001482401
PIRARD PIERRE
C/O ELIZABETH ARDEN, INC.
2400 S.W. 145 AVENUE
MIRAMAR
FL
33027
1
1
0
0
EVP, Prod. Innov. & Global SC
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
2010-11-02
4
A
0
1700
0
A
41277
D
This grant of service-based restricted stock will vest in equal thirds over a three-year period on the dates that are two business days following the public announcement of the Issuer's financial results for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (each a "Vesting Date"), but only if the Reporting Person is still employed with the Issuer on the applicable Vesting Date.
Pierre B. Pirard
2010-11-03