1
: effluvia from a substance that affect the sense of smell: such as
a
: an odor left by an animal on a surface passed over
b
: a characteristic or particular odor
especially
: one that is agreeable
2
a
: power of smelling : sense of smell
a keen scent
b
: 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
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
scented; scenting; scents
1
a
: to perceive by the olfactory organs : smell
b
: to get or have an inkling of
scent trouble
2
: to imbue or fill with odor
scented the air with perfume
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
Synonyms
Examples of scent in a Sentence
Noun
The flower has a wonderful scent.
The dogs followed the fox's scent.
The prisoner escaped because the dogs lost his scent.
Verb
The dog scented a rabbit.
She scented the air with perfume.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan Kinsey, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
More recently, Bernstein and his company, Jovian, created a scent called Pool for a Toronto art exhibition curated around the themes of water and submergence.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Now the installation draws you in, and after lingering a while the scent begins to seem like a disagreeable odor that sooner or later pushes you out.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Take a piece of foliage and crush it for a delightful scent of what has been described as honey-pineapple.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2024
And there's nothing more chic than having a signature scent that's as memorable as the one in your favorite hotel.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
While the men worked, Finger quietly headed into the forest, like a hunting dog that had picked up a scent.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The best part is that every element is safe, i.e., dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, allergen-free, cruelty-free, and uses only proprietary scent formulas crafted according to strict European standards.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Keep In Mind The cream emits a strong scent, which might bother some people.
—Danielle Zoellner, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2024
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
It is scented with lavender and peppermint oils for a relaxing aromatic experience that may just remind you of a day at the spa.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Adding natural germ-fighting essential oils can further boost your bath’s potency; eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint are all anti-bacterial and will scent your water beautifully too.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
The space was notably but subtly scented by one of Beckham’s candles–Suite 302, inspired by her Parisian date nights with her famous hubby.
—Lauren Murdoch-Smith, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2024
Adding natural germ-fighting essential oils can further boost your bath’s potency; eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint are all antibacterial and will scent your water beautifully too.
—Georgia Day, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024
The line, which is silicone-free and cruelty-free, is scented with the brand’s signature Temple Oud fragrance.
—Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024
The batter is scented with lavender buds and lemon.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024
In this version, the stock is scented with fresh rosemary, generous chunks of cubed boneless pork loin roast, white beans, garlic, tomatoes and a small shaped pasta.
—Bridgette A. Lacy, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Noun
When investigators seized the vehicle, cadaver dogs alerted to a scent on the shovel.
—Jordan Kinsey, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
More recently, Bernstein and his company, Jovian, created a scent called Pool for a Toronto art exhibition curated around the themes of water and submergence.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Now the installation draws you in, and after lingering a while the scent begins to seem like a disagreeable odor that sooner or later pushes you out.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Take a piece of foliage and crush it for a delightful scent of what has been described as honey-pineapple.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2024
And there's nothing more chic than having a signature scent that's as memorable as the one in your favorite hotel.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
While the men worked, Finger quietly headed into the forest, like a hunting dog that had picked up a scent.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The best part is that every element is safe, i.e., dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, allergen-free, cruelty-free, and uses only proprietary scent formulas crafted according to strict European standards.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Keep In Mind The cream emits a strong scent, which might bother some people.
—Danielle Zoellner, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2024
Verb
When filled with nuts, the cookie is scented with aromas of rose water, water, orange blossom, water and cinnamon.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
It is scented with lavender and peppermint oils for a relaxing aromatic experience that may just remind you of a day at the spa.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Adding natural germ-fighting essential oils can further boost your bath’s potency; eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint are all anti-bacterial and will scent your water beautifully too.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
The space was notably but subtly scented by one of Beckham’s candles–Suite 302, inspired by her Parisian date nights with her famous hubby.
—Lauren Murdoch-Smith, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2024
Adding natural germ-fighting essential oils can further boost your bath’s potency; eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint are all antibacterial and will scent your water beautifully too.
—Georgia Day, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024
The line, which is silicone-free and cruelty-free, is scented with the brand’s signature Temple Oud fragrance.
—Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024
The batter is scented with lavender buds and lemon.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024
In this version, the stock is scented with fresh rosemary, generous chunks of cubed boneless pork loin roast, white beans, garlic, tomatoes and a small shaped pasta.
—Bridgette A. Lacy, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Scent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scent. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scent
1 of 2 noun1
a
: an odor left by an animal
b
: a particular and usually agreeable odor
2
a
: sense of smell
a keen scent
b
: power of detection : nose sense 5
3
: a course of pursuit or discovery
thrown off the scent
4
: hint entry 1 sense 1, inkling
a scent of trouble
6
: a mixture prepared for use as a lure in hunting or fishing
scent
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to become aware of or follow through the sense of smell
the dog scented a rabbit
b
: to get a hint of
scent trouble
2
: to fill with an odor : perfume
scent a handkerchief
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