smell Definition
- 1the faculty or power of perceiving odors or scents by means of the organs in the nose
- 2an odor or scent, especially a pleasant one
- 3a quality detected by means other than the sense of sight or hearing; an instinctive appreciation
Using smell: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "smell" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.
Example
I love the smell of roses in the garden.
Example
She has a keen sense of smell and can detect even the slightest odors.
smell Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with smell
Example
I smelled a rat when he refused to answer my questions.
smell blood
to sense weakness or vulnerability in an opponent
Example
The team smelled blood and went on to win the game.
Example
After years of working hard, she decided to take a break and smell the roses.
Origins of smell
from Old English 'smele', related to 'smell' (verb)
Summary: smell in Brief
The term 'smell' [smel] refers to the sense of perceiving odors or scents, as well as the odors themselves. It can also denote an instinctive appreciation of a quality, such as danger. Phrases like 'smell a rat' and 'smell blood' are idiomatic expressions that convey suspicion or sensing weakness. 'Smell the roses' is an idiom that encourages taking time to appreciate the good things in life.
