smell

1 of 2

verb

ˈsmel 

smelled ˈsmeld  or chiefly British smelt ˈsmelt  ; smelling

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

smeller noun

smell

2 of 2

noun

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

Phrases

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

Synonyms

Verb

• nose
• scent
• sniff
• snuff
• whiff

Noun

• aroma
• odor
• redolence
• scent
• sniff

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of smell in a Sentence

Verb

She leaned over and smelled the flowers.

I have a cold right now so I can't smell.

I can't smell anything because I'm so stuffed up.

I could smell dinner cooking.

I think I smell gas.

This car smells like mold.

Can't you smell the profits?

Noun

the distinctive smell of onions

Dogs have a keen sense of smell.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Victoria’s Secret Tease Cocoa Soirée Eau de Parfum, $59.95 (1.7 oz) - $79.95 (3.4 oz);victoriassecret.com Like the decadent beverage, this rich fragrance—which has notes of berries, freesia, dark cocoa and Chantilly cream—will keep you warm (and smelling scrumptious) as the temps fall. —Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023

One pass with a cotton pad eliminates all evidence of past color, without making your nails feel brittle (thanks to castor and grapefruit peel oils) or your bathroom smell like a distillery. —Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023

Now, many people can stop and smell the Vogue World roses. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2023

Officers stopped the vehicle, smelled the odor of marijuana and detained the driver, a Warrensville Heights man, 19. —cleveland, 15 Sep. 2023

The Chesapeake cowboys rode into St. Michaels, Md., on a steamy Sunday in August, and the air smelled like crab seasoning and diesel exhaust, with a dash of light beer and lime. —Jason Nark Kent Nishimura, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023

Little Amal will smell the oversized flower puppets, created by Center Stage, and watch butterfly puppets made by local students flutter. —Abigail Gruskin, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023

Another issue pointed out by users is that the next meal made in the air fryer tastes and smells like dish soap. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2023

Understanding how mosquitoes smell humans could save thousands of human lives Looking more specifically at the US, Culex mosquitoes – namely, the common house mosquito – are a big target for control efforts. —Ritu Prasad, CNN, 12 Sep. 2023

Noun

Read on to learn what causes period blood smell, how to minimize it, and when to see a healthcare provider. 1. —Samantha Lauriello, Health, 20 Sep. 2023

And, best of all, our sensitive noses detected zero smell. —Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023

Now the pop star will find out whether his sense of smell gains the same sort of following. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2023

Sewage seeped out, and the smell was a real appetite killer. —Dave Lieber, Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2023

The trainer then plays hide and seek with the dog, who is learning to track based solely on a sense of smell, according to Medhurst. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023

For some, however, that smell is the smell of home. —Stacey Leasca, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2023

Often, a highly unpleasant, rich, drain-like smell pervades in affected areas. —Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2023

Dogs are uniquely positioned to collect data that helps humans track and preserve endangered species — and find invasive species — because of their exceptional sense of smell. —Sydney Page, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing smell

• smell out
• smell trouble
• wake up and smell the coffee/roses
• smell blood
• smell the roses
• smell a rat

• smell out
• smell trouble
• wake up and smell the coffee/roses
• smell blood
• smell the roses
• smell a rat

Kids Definition

smell

1 of 2 verb

ˈsmel 

smelled ˈsmeld  or smelt ˈsmelt  ; smelling

1

: to become aware of an odor by means of the sense organs located in the nose

smell dinner cooking

2

: to detect or become aware of as if by the sense of smell

smell trouble

3

: to use the sense of smell

4

a

: to have or give off an odor

the candles smell like roses

b

: to have a disagreeable odor : stink

c

: to give a hint or trace of something

the plan smells of trickery

smeller noun

smell

2 of 2 noun

1

: odor, scent sense 2

2

: the process or power of becoming aware of an odor

also : the sense by which one detects odor

3

: a special quality associated with a given source : aura

the smell of adventure

4

: an act of smelling

Medical Definition

smell

1 of 2 verb

ˈsmel 

smelled ˈsmeld  or smelt ˈsmelt  ; smelling

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to exercise the sense of smell

smell

2 of 2 noun

1

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

2

: the special sense concerned with the perception of odor