|
  • Search Results
  • Advanced Search
  • List Builder
  • Random Word

smell

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: smell

1
 nv
the faculty that enables us to distinguish scents
inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense
2
 nv
the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
have an element suggestive (of something)
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: smell
1

n the faculty that enables us to distinguish scents

Synonyms:
olfaction, olfactory modality, sense of smell
Types:
nose
the sense of smell (especially in animals)
Type of:
modality, sense modality, sensory system
a particular sense
exteroception
sensitivity to stimuli originating outside of the body

n the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

“she loved the smell of roses”
Synonyms:
odor, odour, olfactory perception, olfactory sensation
Types:
show 7 types...
hide 7 types...
scent
an odor left in passing by which a person or animal can be traced
aroma, fragrance, perfume, scent
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
fetor, foetor, malodor, malodour, mephitis, reek, stench, stink
a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant
acridity
having an acrid smell
musk
the scent of a greasy glandular secretion from the male musk deer
incense
the pleasing scent produced when incense is burned
niff, pong
an unpleasant smell
Type of:
aesthesis, esthesis, sensation, sense datum, sense experience, sense impression
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

n the act of perceiving the odor of something

Synonyms:
smelling
Types:
sniff, snuff
sensing an odor by inhaling through the nose
Type of:
perception, sensing
becoming aware of something via the senses

n any property detected by the olfactory system

Synonyms:
aroma, odor, odour, olfactory property, scent
Types:
show 5 types...
hide 5 types...
bouquet, fragrance, fragrancy, redolence, sweetness
a pleasingly sweet olfactory property
fetidness, foulness, malodorousness, rankness, stinkiness
the attribute of having a strong offensive smell
muskiness
having the olfactory properties of musk
rancidness
the property of being rancid
B.O., body odor, body odour
malodorousness resulting from a failure to bathe
Type of:
property
a basic or essential attribute shared by all members of a class

v inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense

Types:
show 4 types...
hide 4 types...
sniff, whiff
perceive by inhaling through the nose
nose, scent, wind
catch the scent of; get wind of
snuff, snuffle
sniff or smell inquiringly
get a noseful, get a whiff
smell strongly and intensely
Type of:
comprehend, perceive
to become aware of through the senses

v emit an odor

“The soup smells good”
Types:
reek, stink
smell badly and offensively
salute
become noticeable
Type of:
cause to be perceived
have perceptible qualities

v smell bad

“He rarely washes, and he smells”
Types:
reek, stink
smell badly and offensively
salute
become noticeable
2

n the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people

“it had the smell of treason”
Synonyms:
feel, feeling, flavor, flavour, look, spirit, tone
Types:
Hollywood
a flashy vulgar tone or atmosphere believed to be characteristic of the American film industry
Zeitgeist
the spirit of the time; the spirit characteristic of an age or generation
Type of:
ambiance, ambience, atmosphere
a particular environment or surrounding influence

v have an element suggestive (of something)

“this passage smells of plagiarism”
Synonyms:
reek, smack
Type of:
evoke, paint a picture, suggest
call to mind

v become aware of not through the senses but instinctively

“i smell trouble”
“smell out corruption”
Synonyms:
sense, smell out
Type of:
perceive
become conscious of
Launch
WORD FAMILY
USAGE EXAMPLES