anosmia

noun

an·​os·​mia a-ˈnäz-mē-ə 

: loss or impairment of the sense of smell

anosmic

a-ˈnäz-mik 

adjective

Examples of anosmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For people living with anosmia, that reframing offers a quieter form of possibility, not the return of smell, but a new way to engage with the chemical world through learning, adaptation, and experience. —New Atlas, 12 Jan. 2026

As a result, some scientists would like to see the same test performed on people who have acquired anosmia. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

But anosmia is more often acquired through a viral infection such as COVID, a traumatic brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. —Hannah Docter-Loeb, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024

Nearly 1 in 4 people have anosmia, according to National Institutes of Health estimates. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek an- an- + -osmia (as in euosmía "fragrance, perfume," kakosmía "bad odor"), from -osmos "having an odor (of the kind specified)" (adjective derivative from osmḗ "odor, scent," going back to *od-smā, derivative—with -smē, -mē, deverbal noun suffix—of od-, base of ózein "to smell, give off an odor") + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at odor

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anosmia

noun

an·​os·​mia a-ˈnäz-mē-ə 

: loss or impairment of the sense of smell

anosmic

-mik 

adjective