I. ˈsmel verb
( smelled ˈsmeld ; or smelt ˈsmelt ; smell·ing )
Etymology: Middle English
Date: 12th century
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 smell s — A. F. Wills
• smell·er noun
•
- smell a rat
- smell blood
- smell the roses
II. noun
Date: 12th century
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
Synonyms:
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