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

The bathroom had a massive stand-alone tub and a rainfall shower with soaps made by local artisans that smelled woodsy and decadent. —Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024

So when he's put in the position that this is what a top guy in WWE, in sports, in entertainment, in sports entertainment does, the audience smells it. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Most of the guns confiscated in the West 7th district come from traffic stops where police smell marijuana, Genualdo said. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024

Winfrey named Flamingo Estate candles, which smell like tomatoes and rosemary, among her favorite things, the New York Times reported. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024

Yes, the trees can smell like fish, according to the Oklahoma State Extension Service. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024

The presence of the fish — including delta smelt, winter-run chinook salmon and steelhead trout — has triggered state and federal permit requirements that significantly reduce pumping from the delta, including limiting the ability to move water into the San Luis Reservoir, officials said. —Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024

Some flowers may smell as good, but none smell better. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024

Currie and Andy Coxon are former performers on London’s West End who created their hero product, The Deodorant Balm, to help fellow cast members feel—and smell—fresh after long days on stage. —Lindy Segal, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2024

Noun

As the chaos dissipated, the smell of pepper spray in the chapel still lingered, so the ceremony was moved into the foyer. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024

The air is warm, the smell of bright Florida sunshine on moist soil still lingering. —Jen Guyton, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

With top notes of citrus and base notes of amber wood and patchouli, this diffuser will make your home smell clean and fruity. —Leonora Epstein, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Great Parks said there will likely be a smell from decomposing organic material during this process. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024

Quilting is a craft that requires the use of the brain and the body, that involves the senses of sight, touch, sound, and smell, that requires mathematical calculation, forward planning, and rapt attention. —Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024

The powder itself also has a somewhat unappealing smell, but once mixed with water the smell is pleasant and fruity. —Tamar Kane, Ms, Rd, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024

None of them get to vote in Arizona and their support doesn’t pass the smell test. —Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024

As noted by SamMobile, a moderator on Samsung’s EU community forums offered a reasonable explanation for the smell: This isn’t anything to be concerned about. —Allison Johnson, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024

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

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