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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Some smelled it, licked it, or took tiny nibbles around the edges. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025

That’s especially true in today’s highly supervised childhoods, where many young kids’ sights, smells, and tastes are entirely prescribed by adults. —Faran Krentcil, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025

Noun

Dusty smell: An unpleasant, dusty smell coming from air vents is the result of dirty air filters that need to be changed. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2025

The smell of hydrogen sulfide and sewage fills the air, making everyone’s nose crinkle ... —Audrey Fahlberg, National Review, 15 May 2025

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

Rhymes for smell

• bel
• belle
• cel
• cell
• dell
• dwell
• el
• ell
• fel
• fell
• gel
• gell

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