scent

play

noun \ˈsent\

Definition of scent

1 : effluvia from a substance that affect the sense of smell: such asa : an odor left by an animal on a surface passed overb : a characteristic or particular odor; especially : one that is agreeable
2a : power of smelling : sense of smell a keen scentb : power of detection : nose a scent for heresy
3 : a course of pursuit or discovery throw one off the scent
4 : inkling, intimation a scent of trouble
5 : perfume 2
6 : bits of paper dropped in the game of hare and hounds
7 : a mixture prepared for use as a lure in hunting or fishing

scentless

play \ˈsent-ləs\ adjective

See scent defined for English-language learners

See scent defined for kids

Examples of scent in a Sentence

The flower has a wonderful scent.
The dogs followed the fox's scent.
The prisoner escaped because the dogs lost his scent.

Recent Examples of scent from the Web

There are a few brands that have men-specific moisturizers, because some of other the scents are very female-scented.

— john cena as told to lisa ryan, The Cut, "John Cena on Moisturizing, Ugly Sweaters, and Why You Won’t See Him at Barre Class," 20 July 2017
Each species has its own distinctive receptors, and by swapping these around, Ostrov’s team could tune baker’s yeast to the scents of other fungi.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Turning Baker’s Yeast Into a Disease Sensor," 18 July 2017
Blocking scent prevents taste buds from picking up on any flavor in food.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "Some Mice Got Fat from Just Smelling Food, So Now Smelling Unhealthy Food Is Bad," 12 July 2017
A new tool designed by a former FBI forensic canine specialist uses an unusual item to help law enforcement dogs find missing people: armpit scent.

— harry sayer, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Smelly' new crime fighting tool helps deputies track missing people," 8 July 2017
Stewart was named in May as the the face of the fragrance and will star in a film campaign of the scent in the fall.

— Bloomberg.com, "Chanel Aims High With Starry 'Eiffel Tower' Paris Show," 4 July 2017
These nomadic vamps got a scent for Bella, and threw life into chaos for both the Cullens and the wolves destined to protect humans from their blood-sucker nemeses.

— maria tallarico, Cosmopolitan, "The Supporting Cast of Twilight: Where Are They Now?!," 28 June 2017
There was a heady scent to the place, too: a rich musk of dirty laundry, cigarette smoke, alcohol and young white male.

— tracy swartz, chicagotribune.com, "New tell-all details Tom Cruise drama on Chicago set of 'Risky Business'," 27 June 2017
And so, that scent being spritzed from the canisters in the Guggenheim does many things at once.

— jane yong kim, The Atlantic, "Anicka Yi’s Strangely Persuasive World of Smells," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scent

Middle English sent, from Anglo-French sente, from sentir

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First Known Use: 15th century

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Synonym Discussion of scent

fragrance, perfume, scent, redolence mean a sweet or pleasant odor. fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things. the fragrance of pine perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor. the perfume of lilacs scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation. scent-free soaps redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors. the redolence of a forest after a rain

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

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl

scent

verb

Definition of scent

transitive verb
1a : to perceive by the olfactory organs : smellb : to get or have an inkling of scent trouble
2 : to imbue or fill with odor scented the air with perfume
intransitive verb
1 : to yield an odor of some specified kind this scents of sulfur; also : to bear indication or suggestions
2 : to use the nose in seeking or tracking prey

See scent defined for English-language learners

Examples of scent in a Sentence

The dog scented a rabbit.
She scented the air with perfume.

Recent Examples of scent from the Web

Calls and murmurs of birds fill the air scented with native cordgrass, marsh gumplant, and alkali heath, all planted and naturalized in the 10 years since these salt ponds were opened to the bay.

— National Geographic, "How the Bay Area Is Restoring Nature's Delicate Balance," 13 June 2017
At King, these chickpea fritters are long, thin tongues that puff up like pommes soufflés and are scented all over by fried sage.

— pete wells, New York Times, "Some Food, a Plate, a Room. That’s Enough at King, in SoHo.," 6 June 2017
Sweet but with a herbacious side, the syrup was scented with basil and tasted simply divine.

— susan selasky, charlotteobserver, "Basil simple syrup is just a couple of steps to fancy," 6 June 2017
Lilacs plucked from Eden’s garden scented the room, while a 300-year-old tree leaned against the porch just beyond my window.

— carol ann davidson, idahostatesman, "Wellness springs eternal in Calistoga, Calif.," 2 June 2017
Second, China scented economic opportunity in clean energy and pumped money into the sector.

— katie hunt, CNN, "US hands big win to China by quitting climate pact," 2 June 2017
Bait the Mini Cha Cha’s with Corn scented with Pro Cure’s Bloody Tuna.

— mark yuasa, The Seattle Times, "Lake trout, rainbows and kokanee top the “to do” list of fishing activities around Lake Chelan," 19 May 2017
Once the oil shimmers, add the garlic and cook for about 3 minutes (to flavor and scent the oil).

— cathy barrow, The Denver Post, "This party salad happens in a loaf pan," 5 Apr. 2017
The smell of beer was off-putting but tolerable; wine, while aromatic, smelled of real alcohol, and my body judiciously sensed poison, even as my brain scented fun.

— john seabrook, The New Yorker, "Behind the Cellar Door," 23 Jan. 2017

Origin and Etymology of scent

Middle English senten, from Anglo-French sentir to feel, smell, from Latin sentire to perceive, feel — more at sense

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

SCENT Defined for English Language Learners

scent

play

noun

Definition of scent for English Language Learners

: a pleasant smell that is produced by something
: a smell that is left by an animal or person and that can be sensed and followed by some animals (such as dogs)
: a slight indication of something that is going to happen or that might happen

scent

verb

Definition of scent for English Language Learners

: to become aware of (something) by smell
: to give (something) a pleasing smell

SCENT Defined for Kids

scent

play

noun \ˈsent\

Definition of scent for Students

1 : an odor that is given off by someone or something … a little wind … brought a fresh scent of newly turned earth with it. — Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
2 : power or sense of smell The dog has a keen scent.
3 : a course followed in search or pursuit of something The reporter was on the scent of a story.
4 : ¹perfume 1

scent

play

verb

Definition of scent for Students

scented

;

scenting

1 : to become aware of or follow through the sense of smell The dog scented a rabbit.
2 : to get a hint of Aunt Petunia obviously scented danger, too … — J. K. Rowling, Sorcerer's Stone
3 : to fill with an odor : perfume Roses scent the air.