bitter smell
Harsh nasal sensation
A bitter smell is a sharp, acrid odor that suggests something unpleasant or potentially harmful—the smell of burnt coffee, aspirin, or certain chemicals.
The term borrows from taste, where bitterness signals toxicity, and applies it to scents that trigger similar aversion: The bitter smell of almonds indicated cyanide.
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- burntDamaged by heat
- burnt rubberOverheated tire residue
chemical · chemical fumes · ammonia · rotten eggs · vinegar · nail polish remover · medicinal · astringent · sour · rancid · harsh · sulfur · smoke · fumes · coffee · black coffee · dark roast · tonic