odour

What noses detect

Odour is the British spelling of odor—a smell, especially one that is distinctive or unpleasant.

Something with no smell is odourless.

The phrase in bad odour means in disfavor: He was in bad odour with the committee after missing three meetings.

Both spellings share the same range of literal and figurative uses.

unpleasant

stench

Powerfully offensive odor

  • reekEmit strong odor
  • putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
  • rankPosition in hierarchy

fetid · noxious · rotten · foul · sour · musty · moldy · mildew · decaying · offensive

pleasant

fragrance

Pleasing olfactory quality

  • perfumeFragrant liquid for wearing
  • aromaPleasant distinctive smell
  • bouquetArranged cluster of blooms

essence · scent · redolence · balminess · floral · jasmine · lavender · rose · vanilla · sandalwood

detection

sniff

Brief nasal inhalation

nostrils · olfaction · nasal · nose · detect · sense · perceive · airborne · waft · emanate

source

body

Physical structure, living thing

  • breathAir taken in
  • sweatMoisture from skin pores
  • smokeAirborne combustion byproduct

cooking · garbage · chemical · industrial · animal · fishy · earthy · woody · metallic · medicinal

intensity

strong

Having great physical power

intense · penetrating · sharp · lingering · wafting · pervasive · overwhelming · mild · distinct · unmistakable

Opposites
pleasantness of smell

odourfragrance

Pleasing olfactory quality

perfume · aroma · scent · bouquet · sweetness

sensory modality

odourtaste

Flavor perception ability

sound · sight · touch · texture · flavour

presence vs. absence of smell

odourodourlessness

Lacking any smell

freshness · clean air · neutrality · sterility

Phrases
Family

odor, deodorant, odorous, odorless, deodorize, malodorous, deodorized, odors, odoriferous

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G