First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
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
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 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
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Origin of SMELL
Middle English
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
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
4
: an act or instance of smelling
See smell defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SMELL
12th century
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
1smell
verb \ˈsmel\
smelled \ˈsmeld\ or smelt \ˈsmelt\smell·ing
Definition of SMELL for Kids
1
: to detect the odor of by means of special cells located in the nose <Stop and smell the flowers.>
2
: to notice (something) because of its odor <I think I smell gas.>
3
: to have or give off an odor <My dog smells wet.>
4
: to sense as if by smelling <I smell trouble.>
2smell
noun
Definition of SMELL for Kids
1
: the sense by which a person or animal becomes aware of an odor
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