What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
odour
Example
The odour of the garbage was overwhelming. [odour: noun]
Example
The room had an odd odour that I couldn't quite place. [odour: noun]
scent
Example
The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air. [scent: noun]
Example
I could barely detect the scent of lavender in the room. [scent: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scent is more commonly used than odour in everyday language. Scent is often used in a positive context, such as describing the fragrance of flowers or perfume, while odour is used to describe unpleasant smells, such as garbage or rotting food.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between odour and scent?
Both odour and scent can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, odour may be considered more formal due to its technical use in fields such as chemistry or biology.
