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¹smell

verb \ˈsmel\

: to use your nose to sense smells

: to be able to use your nose to sense smells

: to notice something because of its smell

smelled \ˈsmeld\ or smelt \ˈsmelt\ smell·ing

Full Definition of SMELL

transitive verb

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

: to detect or become aware of as if by the sense of smell <I smell trouble>

: to emit the odor of

intransitive verb

: to exercise the sense of smell

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>

— smell·er noun

— 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

See smell defined for English-language learners

See smell defined for kids

Origin of SMELL

Middle English

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to SMELL

Synonyms: nose, scent, sniff, snuff, whiff

Antonyms: rock [slang], rule [slang]

²smell

noun

: the quality of a thing that you can sense with your nose

: an unpleasant odor

: the ability to notice or recognize odors : the ability to smell things

Full Definition of SMELL

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

a : the process, function, or power of smelling

b : the sense concerned with the perception of odor

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>

: an act or instance of smelling

See smell defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SMELL

12th century

Related to SMELL

Synonyms: aroma, odor, redolence, scent, sniff

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 Defined for Kids