smell

Detect through nostrils

Smell is the sense that detects odors through the nose, and also the quality perceived: What's that smell?

As a verb, to smell is to perceive an odor or to emit one: I smell smoke, The kitchen smells like garlic.

Something that smells without qualification usually smells bad.

To smell a rat is to suspect deception.

A smell test checks whether something seems legitimate: That excuse doesn't pass the smell test.

action

sniff

Brief nasal inhalation

whiffBrief, faint smell
inhaleDraw air in
detectNotice or discover

nose · waft · breathe · sense · catch · pick up · follow · track · trail

unpleasant

stench

Powerfully offensive odor

reekEmit strong odor
odorPerceived atmospheric emission
malodorUnpleasant, offensive smell

stink · foul · putrid · rank · fetid · rotten · decaying · noxious · pungent · acrid

anatomy

nose

Olfactory facial organ

nostrilsBreathing holes in face
olfactoryOf the sense detecting odors
nasalOf the nose

sinuses · snout · mucosa · receptors · bulb · epithelium · turbinates

ability

olfaction

Sense of scent detection

sensePerception or judgment
perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
detectionAct of finding something

sensitivity · anosmia · discernment · acuity · awareness

pleasant

perfume

Fragrant liquid for wearing

cologneLight men's fragrance
fragrancePleasing olfactory quality
bouquetArranged cluster of blooms

aroma · essence · floral · citrus · vanilla · lavender · jasmine · rose · sandalwood · patchouli

Categories

smellodor, reek, aroma, sniff, stink
S wordssay, see, set, sit, son
Nosenose, nostril, nostrils, nares, nasal
perceptionsee, vision, seeing, senses, observing
sensessight, taste, hearing, touch, vision
sensory qualitiestaste, aroma, sound, texture, hardness

Opposites

sensory modality

smellsight

Visual perception faculty

vision · hearing · touch · sound · taste

odor quality

Pleasing olfactory quality

perfume · aroma · bouquet · freshness · scent

odor presence/intensity

smellodorlessness

Lacking any smell

inodorous · freshness · clean air · unscented · neutral

Phrases

bad smellUnpleasant olfactory sensation
smell a ratBecome suspicious of deceit
smells fishyAppears deceitful or questionable
new-car smellDistinctive odor of recent purchase
new car smellAroma of unused vehicles
come out smelling of rosesEmerge favorably from difficulty

Family

smelly, smelling, smells, smelled, smeller, smellable, smellers

Familiarity: Top 1,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G