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smell

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of smell

1 the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose
  • The smell of vanilla is supposed to be very soothing.
Synonyms of smell

aroma, odor, redolence, scent, sniff
Words Related to smell

whiff

bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, perfume

ambrosia, lusciousness, savor (also savour), savoriness, spice, tang

acridness, fetidness, foulness, gaminess, noisomeness, rancidity, rankness, reek, stench, stink
2 a special quality or impression associated with something
  • a law firm with a mahogany-lined boardroom that has the discernible smell of money and power
Synonyms of smell

air, ambience (or ambiance), aroma, atmosphere, aura, climate, flavor, halo, karma, mood, note, odor, patina, temper, vibration(s)
Words Related to smell

mystique, romance

feel, feeling, sensation, sense, spirit

attribute, character, characteristic, image, mark, notion, peculiarity, picture, property, trait

color, illusion, overtone, semblance, suggestion, tone

Synonym Discussion of 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

smell

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of smell

1 to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose
  • We smelled the aroma of freshly baked cookies as soon as we walked in the house.
Synonyms of smell

nose, scent, sniff, snuff, whiff
Words Related to smell

breathe, drink (in), inhale, respire

snort, snuffle

savor (also savour)
2 to have a vague awareness of
  • I smell something fishy about this situation.
Synonyms of smell

feel, perceive, scent, see, sense, taste
Words Related to smell

behold, descry, discern, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, sight, spy, view, witness

ascertain, catch on (to), discover, find out, hear, learn, realize

anticipate, divine, expect, foreknow, foresee

assume, conjecture, guess, presume, speculate, suppose, surmise, suspect

Learn More about smell

  1. Dictionary: Definition of smell Medical Dictionary: Definition of smell Spanish Central: Translation of smell Nglish: Translation of smell for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of smell for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about smell

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