smell

¹smell

verb \ˈsmel\

smelled \ˈsmeld\ or smelt \ˈsmelt\ smell·ing

Definition of SMELL

transitive verb

1

: to perceive the odor or scent of through stimuli affecting the olfactory nerves : get the odor or scent of with the nose

2

: to detect or become aware of as if by the sense of smell <I smell trouble>

3

: to emit the odor of

intransitive verb

1

: to exercise the sense of smell

2

a (1) : to have an odor or scent (2) : to have a characteristic aura or atmosphere : smack <the accounts…seemed to me to smell of truth — R. S. Bourne>; also : seem, appear <the story didn't smell right>

b (1) : to have an offensive odor : stink (2) : to be of bad or questionable quality <all this from the moral point of view smells — A. F. Wills>

— smell·er noun

— smell a rat

: to have a suspicion of something wrong

— smell blood

: to sense an opponent's weakness or vulnerability

— smell the roses

: to enjoy or savor life

Examples of SMELL

1. She leaned over and smelled the flowers.
2. I have a cold right now so I can't smell.
3. I can't smell anything because I'm so stuffed up.
4. I could smell dinner cooking.
5. I think I smell gas.
6. This car smells like mold.
7. Can't you smell the profits?

Origin of SMELL

Middle English

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to SMELL

Synonyms

nose, scent, sniff, snuff, whiff

Antonyms

rock [slang], rule [slang]

Related Words

breathe, drink (in), inhale, respire; snort, snuffle; savor (also savour)

²smell

noun

Definition of SMELL

1

: the property of a thing that affects the olfactory organs : odor

2

a : the process, function, or power of smelling

b : the sense concerned with the perception of odor

3

a : a very small amount : trace <add only a smell of garlic>

b : a pervading or characteristic quality : aura <the smell of affluence, of power — Harry Hervey>

4

: an act or instance of smelling

Examples of SMELL

1. the distinctive smell of onions
2. Dogs have a keen sense of smell.

First Known Use of SMELL

12th century

Related to SMELL

Synonyms

aroma, odor, redolence, scent, sniff

Related Words

whiff; attar (also otto), bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, perfume; ambrosia, lusciousness, savor (also savour), savoriness, spice, tang; acridness, fetidness, fetor, foulness, funk, gaminess, malodor, noisomeness, rancidity, rankness, reek, stench, stink; aromaticity, odoriferousness, odorousness; incense, musk

Near Antonyms

abundance, barrel, boatload, bucket, bundle, bushel, deal, fistful, gobs, heaps, lashings (also lashins) [chiefly British], loads, lot, mass, mess, mountain, much, oodles, passel, peck, pile, plenty, potful, profusion, quantity, raft, reams, scads, stack, wad, wealth; volume; bonanza, embarrassment, excess, overabundance, overage, overflow, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus; chunk, hunk, lump, slab

Synonym Discussion of SMELL

smell, scent, odor, aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense. smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character <an odd smell permeated the room>. scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant <the scent of lilacs>. odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell <a cheese with a strong odor>. aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor <the aroma of freshly ground coffee>.