smell1 nounsmell2 verb
smellsmell1 /smel/ ●●● S2 W3 noun 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A mole finds its food by smell alone.
- Each wine has its own unique flavor and smell.
- I really hate the smell of stale beer.
- Perfectly pure water has no smell.
- The smells of dead fish and rotting garbage were more than he could stand.
- The food looked good, but the smell was awful.
- The wonderful smells from the kitchen made her mouth water.
- There's a smell in here - open the window.
- There was a bad smell coming from the cupboard.
- We had the carpet cleaned, but we couldn't get rid of the musty smell.
- What's that smell? Is something burning?
- Where's that smell coming from?
- A little while later; his eyes shot open with the smell of frying meat.
- And it's not just the dizzying development and the smell of money that pervades the downtown area.
- Rain wet de bags and de onions tek up a smell.
- The stench of the floor was close to him, the smell of vomit and of urine.
- The stuffiness in the hold was made worse by the acrid smell of unwashed bodies.
- There was the smell of fermenting has and citrus blossoms and ginger lilies and bonemeal and sulphur-coated urea.
- When I was a kid I loved the seashore for its mix of beautiful, subtle colours and strong smells.
THESAURUS
something that you can recognize by breathing in through your nose: · the smell from the kitchen· What’s that awful smell?· the sweet smell of roses
something that you smell for a short time: · He caught a whiff of her perfume.· a whiff of apple blossom
a smell – used especially about the pleasant smell from flowers, plants, or fruit. Also used about the smell left by an animal: · The rose had a beautiful scent.· Cats use their scent to mark their territory.· the sharp, dying scent of autumn· the heady scent (=strong scent)of magnolias
a pleasant smell, especially from flowers, plants, or fruit. Fragrance and perfume are more formal than scent: · the sweet perfume of the orange blossoms· Each mango has its own special fragrance.
formal a pleasant smell from food or coffee: · the aroma of fresh coffee· The kitchen was filled with the aroma of mince pies.
British English, odor American English formal an unpleasant smell: · An unpleasant odour was coming from the dustbins.· the odor of stale tobacco smoke
British English informal an unpleasant smell: · What’s that horrible pong?
a very strong and unpleasant smell: · I couldn’t get rid of the stink of sweat.· The toilet gave off a terrible stench.
Longman Language Activatora smell something that you notice by using your nose: · What's that smell? Is something burning?· We had the carpet cleaned, but we couldn't get rid of the musty smell.· The wonderful smells from the kitchen made her mouth water.smell of: · I really hate the smell of stale beer.
British /odor American a strong smell that is easy to recognize: · Each ant's nest has its own odor that ants use to recognize it.odour of: · Lingering in the air was the unmistakeable odor of barbecue smoke.· We immediately noticed the heavy odour of opium in the room.
the smell left by animals: · The dogs followed the fox's scent to the edge of the forest.scent of: · The deer caught the scent of the man, and sprang off over the hill.
a good smell a pleasant smell, especially from flowers, plants, or fruit: · The trees were so thick with flowers their scent was almost overpowering.· The flowers have been prized over the centuries for their heady perfume.scent/fragrance/perfume of: · The fragrance of lilacs always reminds me of spring.· A cool autumn breeze blew past, carrying with it the scent of pine.
a pleasant smell, especially from food or coffee: · Each of the cheeses has its own texture, flavour, and aroma.aroma of: · The aroma of coffee brought Christine into the small cafe.· The rich aroma of freshly baked bread filled the whole house.
a bad smell · There's a smell in here - open the window.· The food looked good, but the smell was awful.smell of · The smells of dead fish and rotting garbage were more than he could stand.bad smell · There was a bad smell coming from the cupboard.
British /odor American a strong, unpleasant smell that is easy to recognize: · The air freshener is supposed to get rid of unpleasant household odors.odour of: · Around the camps there was always the pungent order of kerosene burning human waste.body odour/odor: · The man sitting next to me had body odor and bad breath.
a very strong unpleasant smell, especially one that is so bad it makes it hard for you to breathe or makes you feel sick: · The dead body had begun to rot, and the stench was overpowering.stench of : · I couldn't bear to go in the room with its stench of beer and vomit.
a strong and very unpleasant smell, especially from something that is decaying: · The stink from the drains is almost unbearable in summer.stink of: · The stink of burning rubber permeated the hot summer air.
British informal a bad smell: · What a pong! This place hasn't been cleaned for years!
to have a good smell to have a pleasant smell: · Something smells good. What are you cooking?· You smell so good - is that a new perfume?· I put lavender in my cupboard to make my clothes smell nice.
having a light, pleasant smell, especially of flowers: · The plant has fragrant red and white flowers.· The forest was cool and fragrant, and the walk through it calmed my spirits.· Choose from one of Chanel's new range of fragrant body lotions.
having a clean, natural, pleasant smell: · If you eat garlic, have some parsley afterwards to keep your breath fresh.· The fields have such a clean, fresh smell after the rain.
having a pleasant smell - use this especially about plants and leaves that are used in cooking: · Thai basil is fast growing and wonderfully aromatic.· This kind of massage is a gentle treatment using aromatic oils.
having a strong, sweet smell: · The room was warm, sweet-smelling, and luxurious.· The plant produces tiny, but sweet-smelling white flowers.· The old city lay among sweet-smelling pine woods and almond groves.
a delicate smell is pleasant but sometimes difficult to notice: · The delicate scent of roses hung in the air.· This soup has a marvellous, delicate fragrance and a slightly sweet taste.
having a strong but pleasant smell - use this especially about something that has been given a smell by a particular product: · He stood so close to her that he could smell the perfumed soap on her skin.· perfumed lotions· The poodle came back from the groomers perfumed, with a tiny bow behind each ear.
to have a bad smell · The hut was dark and smelly.· Don't leave your smelly sneakers lying around the living room.· The lake was rapidly turning brown and smelly from the factory wastes.
to have an unpleasant smell: · Does my breath smell?· We need to clean the cat's litter box - it's starting to smell.smell bad/awful/terrible/disgusting: · Not only does he smell bad - he's mean and ugly too.· Many people like the taste of jackfruit, but it smells terrible.
to have a strong and unpleasant smell: · Her room is filthy, and it stinks.· How can you eat that cheese? It stinks.stink of: · His clothes stank of cigarette smoke.stink to high heaven: · You boys stink to high heaven - go inside and take a shower.
to have a very strong smell of something unpleasant: · Get that dog out of here - he reeks.reek of: · He came running into the house, reeking of sweat.· The tiny office reeked of onions and cigarette smoke.· Where have you been - you reek of alcohol?
having a very strong unpleasant smell: · The yards were full of stinking garbage cans, and untidy lines of washing.· He pointed to the stinking hole that we were to use as a toilet.
British /stink the place up American informal to make a whole room smell bad: · You're not bringing that cat in here - it'll stink the place out.· She made fish for dinner and stunk the place up.
things such as books, clothes, or rooms that are musty have a smell that is old and not fresh, especially because they have not been used or been in fresh air for a long time: · The hotel room was dark and musty.· The library was full of musty old books which no one wanted to read.
having a smell that is not fresh, especially because you can still smell something such as old cigarette smoke or old cooking smells: · She noticed the stale smell of drink on his breath.· The air in the office was stale and heavy.· It was cold outside and the smell of stale tobacco clung to their winter coats.
having a sharp, unpleasant smell, especially one that hurts your nose: · The chemical has an acrid smell.· When I opened the door, acrid white smoke came billowing out.· The air was stale and acrid, and a cluster of black flies hovered over the bed.
having a strong smell · There's a strong smell of gas in here.· Her perfume is so strong - it makes me gag.· Goat's cheese has a strong smell.strong-smelling · Pete had covered himself in strong-smelling aftershave.
having a very strong, sharp, and often unpleasant smell: · Garlic has a pungent aroma.· Pungent diesel fumes poured from the back of the truck.
very strong, and sometimes unpleasant: · Ammonia has a very powerful, distinctive smell.· The powerful smell of cabbage, sardines, and body odor filled the train.
heady smell/scent/perfume a smell etc that is very strong and sweet, like a powerful smell of flowers: · A heady scent of jasmine hung in the summer air.· Diane loved the blossoms and the heady aroma of the wild rose bush.
to smell something to notice the smell of something, especially by putting your nose near it: · Smell these roses - aren't they lovely?· If you smell gas in the apartment, call this number immediately.· I swear I haven't had anything to drink. Smell my breath.can smell (=notice a smell): · I can smell something burning - are you sure you turned the oven off?
to take quick breaths through your nose in order to smell something: · He opened the milk and sniffed it.· Otto looked around quickly to make sure no one was looking and then sniffed his armpits.sniff at: · The dog was rushing around excitedly, sniffing at the ground.
informal to notice a smell, just for a short time: · I caught a whiff of roast beef as I walked past the kitchen.· Lisa passed so close to Paul that he got a whiff of her perfume.
if an animal scents something, especially another animal, it can smell that it is near: · The dog had scented something in the bushes.· Police dogs have a very keen sense of smell and can scent even the slightest traces of drugs.
· Blind people often have a much better sense of smell than other people.· Smoking can really ruin a person's sense of smell.keen sense of smell (=very good one) · Pigs have a keen sense of smell, which is why they are used to find truffles.
to have a particular smell: smell of · She smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on her feet.· The whole house smells of garlic - what are you cooking?smell like · It smells like a hospital in here - has someone been using disinfectant?smell nice/horrible/sweet etc · This hand cream smells lovely, what's it called?· The meat smelled horrible, and I refused to eat it.
· The wine has a light, lemony smell.· Clothes washed in some detergents have a chemical smell.· The house was empty, and the rooms had a stale, damp smell.
to produce a particular type of smell that is fairly strong: give off something: · The mixture gave off a strong odor of sulfur.· The covers were damp from humidity and gave off a mildewy smell.· When dried, the flowers will continue to give off their fragrance for months and even years.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives
I worked out this morning and I feel great. You look great in that dress. the lingering aroma of chocolate You look nice in that suit. Mm, something smells nice! the pungent odour of garlic the rank odour of sweat and urine A sickly smell clung to his clothes and hair. The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. the sweet smell of success a vile smellCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· There was a strong smell of burning in the air.
(=not strong)· I noticed a faint smell of perfume.
(=very strong)· The smell of disinfectant was overpowering.
· There was a lovely smell of fresh coffee.
· The smell in the shed was awful.
· What’s that funny smell?
· She liked the sweet smell of hay in the barn.
(=a pleasant smell of food)· There were delicious smells emanating from the kitchen.
(=sweet and unpleasant)· the sweet, sickly smell of decaying human flesh
formal (=strong and unpleasant)· A pungent smell of garlic filled the air.
(=strong and bitter)· The acrid smell of smoke clung about the place.
(=old and not fresh)· The clothes in the wardrobe had a damp musty smell.
verbs· The flowers had a lovely sweet smell.
· The house was filled with the smell of baking bread.
(=produce a smell)· Rubber gives off a strong smell when it is burned.
(also detect a smell formal)· He detected a faint smell of blood.
(also a smell emanates from somewhere formal)· A delicious smell of baking came from the kitchen.· He was getting complaints about the smell emanating from his shop.
(=moves there through the air)· The smells wafting up the stairs from the kitchen were making her feel hungry.
COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘feel the smell of something’. Say smell something.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The food smelt good to her.
I worked out this morning and I feel great. You look great in that dress. the lingering aroma of chocolate You look nice in that suit. Mm, something smells nice!· Her coat smelt of cheap perfume and cigarettes.
· The smell of perfume filled the air.
the pungent odour of garlic the rank odour of sweat and urine· We lose some of the sense of taste as we get older.
A sickly smell clung to his clothes and hair. The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. the sweet smell of success a vile smell· The stuffiness in the hold was made worse by the acrid smell of unwashed bodies.· The jute had an acrid smell that scooped up the rank aroma of moist earth as it leapt from the ground.· He wrinkled his nose in distaste at the acrid smell of the place.· The sharp, acrid male smell which rose from his hot skin filled my nostrils.· These formulations are supplied in liquid form and are similar in texture to detergents although with a slightly acrid smell unless perfumed.· The sharp acrid smell of gutters choked by the monsoon rain.· Strong winds late Sunday blew hard south, sending the acrid smell of a campfire through much of Phoenix.
· Some of the poor girls had a bad smell.· The superintendent grimaced as though her nostrils had suddenly detected a bad smell.· When they were full, the bad smell helped us find them at night without a flashlight.· Sometimes Gina sat on the lavatory watching him and making a bad smell or laughing.
· The delicious smell was twisting his simple mind into knots of ravening hunger.· Stafford opened the oven, releasing a burst of delicious smells.· The warm, delicious smell of home baking emanating from the kitchen made Beth realise just how hungry she was.· Coming home from school on a Friday afternoon, the delicious smell emanating from our kitchen permeated the entire tenement.· Soon there are delicious smells wafting through the house.· There was a delicious smell wafting from a pink hyacinth which was growing in a glass on the table at his side.· But the bread oven conjures up delicious smells of baking and a homely warmth, missing in most modern homes.· The fallout is the delicious smell of burgers and soggy onions that wafts tantalisingly across a crowd estimated at 42,000 by Jakki.
· In my bed is a faint smell of excrement.· There was a faint smell of hay in my room, even in that weather, even with the windows closed.· A faint smell of frying bacon drifted up from the kitchen.· As the steam drifted toward him, it seemed to bring with it a faint smell of meat.· He detected the faint smell of blood just before the familiar but oddly stagnant odor of Jinju came rushing toward him.· A faint smell of cooking emerged from the kitchen.· Something somewhere in here may be rotting; there is a faint smell.
· The familiar smell of the dental surgery comes from oil of cloves, a component of some dental cements.· Marie said, following Helen along the hallway with its familiar dank smell of musty horsehair and cedar and mothballs.· The familiar frowsty smell compounded of soot and chicken meal met her.· The most familiar popular smells are probably fresh coffee, newly mown grass, hyacinths and freshly baked bread.· There was the old familiar smell of the oak tree shade.· The first thing he noticed was the tang of disinfectant, mingled with the familiar smells of polish and coal ash.· The familiar smell of the cottage soothed him as he opened the door.
· I was surprised that it didn't have a fishy smell.
· After the crisp freshness of the shop, the flat had a musty stale smell.· This, and the musty smell of books, was its chief attraction for Richard.· There was a musty smell and a deep silence.· There was a musty smell: it had not been opened for a decade.· It was cold inside but the friar was pleased that it had lost its musty smell.· It was a damp musty smell.· It was very hot in the room already and there was a musty smell.· No footmarks disturbed the dust, cobwebs hung like festoons and a strange musty smell pervaded the atmosphere.
· The leaves when crushed give out a pungent or acid smell.· The air is pungent with the smell of garlic fresh from the ground.· It was a creepy spot with a strong pungent smell of garlic and there was always a feeling of tension and foreboding.· Candles flickered, incense burned in an unsuccessful attempt to cover the pungent smell of marijuana.· My favourite was the lightly spiced Cape Malay Rooibos Chai which had a pungent smell and dark colour.· Old oak has an honest, pungent, lusty smell as you would expect.· A fox earth can be located from a considerable distance downwind by the pungent smell given off.· A pungent smell of garlic filled the air.
· The strange, rank smell was stronger than ever and after a few moments they all heard a heavy movement close by.· Each step up the stairway was rank with smells.· The night air had a rank sweaty smell like the distilled essence of anxiety.· Everywhere was the rank smell of copra drying.
· And the rich, savoury smell of the hare drifted down to meet her, turning her stomach.· Mungo breathed in the rich animal smell as they followed Mr Zamoyski through to the back room.· He had toyed with the fantasy of sleeping with her; the rich smell aroused him.· The alleys between them were dark and damp, rich with the smell of onions hung from the eaves.· The rich loamy smell of the fen autumn night washed over his face; strong, yet fresh.· All had the same rich, opulent smell as Cowslip.· There was a rich and spicy smell.· At last they stopped, lying together, smelling the rich smell, feeling their sweat grow chill on them.
· When the wind was in the west a sickly smell floated over the pits.· It was hot and jammed and the air was redolent with the sickly sweet smell of cheap champagne.· The sickly-sweet smell of sewage from leaking pipes mingles with the scent of fresh cherry blossom.· He hadn't shaved for a few days and a sickly smell clung to his clothes and hair.· As usual, it was the strange smell that repelled him - a sweet sickly smell that he couldn't identify.
· He moved around, inspecting each body carefully, holding his breath against the sour smell of corruption.· He hated the sour smell and atmosphere of the club, where chairs had been pushed back to create a studio floor.· After he had gone I found that my nightie was covered in a horrible sticky mess with a strange sour smell.· It was a sour smell, but good.· Even through her perfume she could still detect the sour smell of the sheets.· She has the basement flat and it's always got this sour damp smell even though she burns joss sticks all day long.· There was a sour smell and the growing heat of the sun was sucking up a mist from the waters.· There was a dank, sour smell to everything, a smell of decay and great antiquity.
· It had the slightly stale smell of such untended places.· After the crisp freshness of the shop, the flat had a musty stale smell.· The scent of rose water hung in the air, covering the stale smell of pipe tobacco and strong drink.· The stale smell of socks and the constant din contributed to the normal post-gymnastic atmosphere.· Rain recognized the stale smell, and her glance went to the half-open shutters.
· He became suddenly aware of a strange, unpleasant smell.· I had six sisters, so there were enough strange smells in the house as it was.· There was a strange mixture of smells in the room, soap and bread and beef gravy.· New York was not behind the times in strange smells.· After he had gone I found that my nightie was covered in a horrible sticky mess with a strange sour smell.· The strange, rank smell was stronger than ever and after a few moments they all heard a heavy movement close by.· The infirmary was quiet like the chapel and had a strange smell.· I smelt ... strange new smells.
· When I was a kid I loved the seashore for its mix of beautiful, subtle colours and strong smells.· A strong smell of brimstone was noticed after the fall.· My hair had more shine than before and I found it left a stronger smell than other conditioners which I really liked.· The stronger the smell gets, the more I want to get out, he said.· Classes gathered round the pipe stoves which gave out a strong smell of soot.· It was a strong smell, and it was getting stronger by the second.· It was a creepy spot with a strong pungent smell of garlic and there was always a feeling of tension and foreboding.· Nobody ever told me that freshly spilled blood has such a strong smell.
· The air was thick with sawdust and the sweet smell of freshly cut wood.· The suppressed sound of the gunfire was still in his ears, and the sweet cordite smell hung at his nostrils.· Today, the sick sweet smell from the chemical company in the industrial part of town seems especially bad.· The rain had stopped and the air was filled with the sweet smell of freshly washed earth.· It was hot and jammed and the air was redolent with the sickly sweet smell of cheap champagne.· At once the room was filled with the sweet, fresh smell of mint.· Without the bags, blood drained on the deck and filled the Huey with a sweet smell, a horribly recognizable smell.
· This is generally caused by a decomposing body or bodies polluting the water and is usually accompanied by an unpleasant smell.· Aside from the unpleasant smell, not much had changed.· He was conscious of feeling cold in the van and of the unpleasant smell of petrol.· In spite of the name, the flower does not have an unpleasant smell.· He became suddenly aware of a strange, unpleasant smell.· An unpleasant smell seemed to waft from the airline bag Mary always carried to school.· Such formulations are identified by a not unpleasant sweet smell.· Consequently the streets of these poorer areas are strewn with rubbish and in hot weather there is frequently a most unpleasant smell.
VERB· The sludge in the Cuisinart fills the condo with smells I remember from nature trails of my childhood.· The night was fine and the room was filled with the sweet smell of the flowers outside.· Behind the back-to-backs, a bruised industrial sky blackens, and fills with cooking smells, and rains.· Our tack room is filled with the smell of leather and saddle soap.
· The smells lingered faintly to enchant the air even at this time of year, but the mystery of childhood had vanished.· The onion smell still lingered, sharp and pungent.· The smell of Warsaw lingers as that of coal.· A musk smell lingered on Groves' sleeve, from where the female snake had curled around his arm.· He rolls off me and passes out on the pillow, the smell of his drunkenness lingering like something live.
· It took him only seconds to notice the smell.· Last night I noticed a new smell in the house.· Did you notice the smell in there?· After a year his wife still appeared not to have noticed the smell of another woman on her husband's face.
· I still remember the smell of that cool dirt.· She remembered the smell of the carpets.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[countable] the quality that people and animals recognize by using their nosesmell of- They gave off a pungent, horsey smell, as if freshly cut.
- While the field has changed with rent control nearly quashed, wake up and smell the coffee of a new day.
The air was filled with the smell of flowers. What’s that horrible smell?2[countable] an unpleasant smell: I think the smell’s getting worse.3[uncountable] the ability to notice or recognize smells: loss of taste and smell Dogs have a very good sense of smell.4[countable usually singular] an act of smelling something: Have a smell of this cheese; does it seem all right?COLLOCATIONSadjectivesstrong· There was a strong smell of burning in the air.faint (=not strong)· I noticed a faint smell of perfume.overpowering (=very strong)· The smell of disinfectant was overpowering.nice/pleasant/lovely· There was a lovely smell of fresh coffee.bad/unpleasant/horrible etc· The smell in the shed was awful.a strange/funny/odd smell· What’s that funny smell?a sweet smell· She liked the sweet smell of hay in the barn.a delicious smell (=a pleasant smell of food)· There were delicious smells emanating from the kitchen.a sickly smell (=sweet and unpleasant)· the sweet, sickly smell of decaying human flesha pungent smell formal (=strong and unpleasant)· A pungent smell of garlic filled the air.an acrid smell (=strong and bitter)· The acrid smell of smoke clung about the place.a musty/stale/sour smell (=old and not fresh)· The clothes in the wardrobe had a damp musty smell.verbshave a strong/sweet etc smell· The flowers had a lovely sweet smell.be filled with a smell· The house was filled with the smell of baking bread.give off a smell (=produce a smell)· Rubber gives off a strong smell when it is burned.notice/smell a smell (also detect a smell formal)· He detected a faint smell of blood.a smell comes from somewhere (also a smell emanates from somewhere formal)· A delicious smell of baking came from the kitchen.· He was getting complaints about the smell emanating from his shop.a smell wafts somewhere (=moves there through the air)· The smells wafting up the stairs from the kitchen were making her feel hungry.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘feel the smell of something’. Say smell something.THESAURUSsmell something that you can recognize by breathing in through your nose: · the smell from the kitchen· What’s that awful smell?· the sweet smell of roseswhiff something that you smell for a short time: · He caught a whiff of her perfume.· a whiff of apple blossomscent a smell – used especially about the pleasant smell from flowers, plants, or fruit. Also used about the smell left by an animal: · The rose had a beautiful scent.· Cats use their scent to mark their territory.· the sharp, dying scent of autumn· the heady scent (=strong scent)of magnoliasfragrance/perfume a pleasant smell, especially from flowers, plants, or fruit. Fragrance and perfume are more formal than scent: · the sweet perfume of the orange blossoms· Each mango has its own special fragrance.aroma formal a pleasant smell from food or coffee: · the aroma of fresh coffee· The kitchen was filled with the aroma of mince pies.odour British English, odor American English formal an unpleasant smell: · An unpleasant odour was coming from the dustbins.· the odor of stale tobacco smokepong British English informal an unpleasant smell: · What’s that horrible pong?stink/stench a very strong and unpleasant smell: · I couldn’t get rid of the stink of sweat.· The toilet gave off a terrible stench.smell1 nounsmell2 verb
smellsmell2 ●●● S2 W3 verb (past tense and past participle smelled especially American English or smelt /smelt/ British English) VERB TABLE
smell
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | smell |
| he, she, it | smells | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | smelt (BrE), smelled (AmE) |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have smelt (BrE), smelled (AmE) |
| he, she, it | has smelt (BrE), smelled (AmE) | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had smelt (BrE), smelled (AmE) |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will smell |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have smelt (BrE), smelled (AmE) |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Smell these roses - aren't they lovely?
- Diane smelled his breath to see if he'd been drinking.
- Do you smell smoke?
- Does my breath smell?
- I can smell something burning - are you sure you turned the oven off?
- I swear I haven't had anything to drink. Smell my breath.
- If you smell gas in the apartment, call this number immediately.
- It smells like a hospital in here - has someone been using disinfectant?
- Many people like the taste of jackfruit, but it smells terrible.
- Not only does he smell bad - he's mean and ugly too.
- She smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on her feet.
- Take the garbage out before it starts to smell.
- The house whole house smells of garlic - what are you cooking?
- The meat smelled horrible, and I refused to eat it.
- This hand cream smells lovely, what's it called?
- We need to clean the cat's litter box - it's starting to smell.
- For one shot, he zooms in over a sawmill, low enough to smell the fresh-cut lumber.
- He could even smell a packet of cigarettes hidden in a coat pocket several metres away!
- He thought he could smell dope; grass or resin fumes.
- Hoist your honker to the skies and smell the burning charcoal and dripping, burning fat.
- Look for their Hair Glistener - it leaves hair smelling irresistible and creates subtle, glittering highlights in your hair.
- She could smell the chemical effluent off the agricultural land: she couldn't remember having noticed that stench before.
- The snow smelled clean, but like a hospital.
- Trouble is, my tenant on the second floor can smell coffee from my kitchen on the first floor.
Longman Language Activatora smell
something that you notice by using your nose: · What's that smell? Is something burning?· We had the carpet cleaned, but we couldn't get rid of the musty smell.· The wonderful smells from the kitchen made her mouth water.smell of: · I really hate the smell of stale beer.
British /odor American a strong smell that is easy to recognize: · Each ant's nest has its own odor that ants use to recognize it.odour of: · Lingering in the air was the unmistakeable odor of barbecue smoke.· We immediately noticed the heavy odour of opium in the room.
the smell left by animals: · The dogs followed the fox's scent to the edge of the forest.scent of: · The deer caught the scent of the man, and sprang off over the hill.
a good smell a pleasant smell, especially from flowers, plants, or fruit: · The trees were so thick with flowers their scent was almost overpowering.· The flowers have been prized over the centuries for their heady perfume.scent/fragrance/perfume of: · The fragrance of lilacs always reminds me of spring.· A cool autumn breeze blew past, carrying with it the scent of pine.
a pleasant smell, especially from food or coffee: · Each of the cheeses has its own texture, flavour, and aroma.aroma of: · The aroma of coffee brought Christine into the small cafe.· The rich aroma of freshly baked bread filled the whole house.
a bad smell · There's a smell in here - open the window.· The food looked good, but the smell was awful.smell of · The smells of dead fish and rotting garbage were more than he could stand.bad smell · There was a bad smell coming from the cupboard.
British /odor American a strong, unpleasant smell that is easy to recognize: · The air freshener is supposed to get rid of unpleasant household odors.odour of: · Around the camps there was always the pungent order of kerosene burning human waste.body odour/odor: · The man sitting next to me had body odor and bad breath.
a very strong unpleasant smell, especially one that is so bad it makes it hard for you to breathe or makes you feel sick: · The dead body had begun to rot, and the stench was overpowering.stench of : · I couldn't bear to go in the room with its stench of beer and vomit.
a strong and very unpleasant smell, especially from something that is decaying: · The stink from the drains is almost unbearable in summer.stink of: · The stink of burning rubber permeated the hot summer air.
British informal a bad smell: · What a pong! This place hasn't been cleaned for years!
to have a good smell to have a pleasant smell: · Something smells good. What are you cooking?· You smell so good - is that a new perfume?· I put lavender in my cupboard to make my clothes smell nice.
having a light, pleasant smell, especially of flowers: · The plant has fragrant red and white flowers.· The forest was cool and fragrant, and the walk through it calmed my spirits.· Choose from one of Chanel's new range of fragrant body lotions.
having a clean, natural, pleasant smell: · If you eat garlic, have some parsley afterwards to keep your breath fresh.· The fields have such a clean, fresh smell after the rain.
having a pleasant smell - use this especially about plants and leaves that are used in cooking: · Thai basil is fast growing and wonderfully aromatic.· This kind of massage is a gentle treatment using aromatic oils.
having a strong, sweet smell: · The room was warm, sweet-smelling, and luxurious.· The plant produces tiny, but sweet-smelling white flowers.· The old city lay among sweet-smelling pine woods and almond groves.
a delicate smell is pleasant but sometimes difficult to notice: · The delicate scent of roses hung in the air.· This soup has a marvellous, delicate fragrance and a slightly sweet taste.
having a strong but pleasant smell - use this especially about something that has been given a smell by a particular product: · He stood so close to her that he could smell the perfumed soap on her skin.· perfumed lotions· The poodle came back from the groomers perfumed, with a tiny bow behind each ear.
to have a bad smell · The hut was dark and smelly.· Don't leave your smelly sneakers lying around the living room.· The lake was rapidly turning brown and smelly from the factory wastes.
to have an unpleasant smell: · Does my breath smell?· We need to clean the cat's litter box - it's starting to smell.smell bad/awful/terrible/disgusting: · Not only does he smell bad - he's mean and ugly too.· Many people like the taste of jackfruit, but it smells terrible.
to have a strong and unpleasant smell: · Her room is filthy, and it stinks.· How can you eat that cheese? It stinks.stink of: · His clothes stank of cigarette smoke.stink to high heaven: · You boys stink to high heaven - go inside and take a shower.
to have a very strong smell of something unpleasant: · Get that dog out of here - he reeks.reek of: · He came running into the house, reeking of sweat.· The tiny office reeked of onions and cigarette smoke.· Where have you been - you reek of alcohol?
having a very strong unpleasant smell: · The yards were full of stinking garbage cans, and untidy lines of washing.· He pointed to the stinking hole that we were to use as a toilet.
British /stink the place up American informal to make a whole room smell bad: · You're not bringing that cat in here - it'll stink the place out.· She made fish for dinner and stunk the place up.
things such as books, clothes, or rooms that are musty have a smell that is old and not fresh, especially because they have not been used or been in fresh air for a long time: · The hotel room was dark and musty.· The library was full of musty old books which no one wanted to read.
having a smell that is not fresh, especially because you can still smell something such as old cigarette smoke or old cooking smells: · She noticed the stale smell of drink on his breath.· The air in the office was stale and heavy.· It was cold outside and the smell of stale tobacco clung to their winter coats.
having a sharp, unpleasant smell, especially one that hurts your nose: · The chemical has an acrid smell.· When I opened the door, acrid white smoke came billowing out.· The air was stale and acrid, and a cluster of black flies hovered over the bed.
having a strong smell · There's a strong smell of gas in here.· Her perfume is so strong - it makes me gag.· Goat's cheese has a strong smell.strong-smelling · Pete had covered himself in strong-smelling aftershave.
having a very strong, sharp, and often unpleasant smell: · Garlic has a pungent aroma.· Pungent diesel fumes poured from the back of the truck.
very strong, and sometimes unpleasant: · Ammonia has a very powerful, distinctive smell.· The powerful smell of cabbage, sardines, and body odor filled the train.
heady smell/scent/perfume a smell etc that is very strong and sweet, like a powerful smell of flowers: · A heady scent of jasmine hung in the summer air.· Diane loved the blossoms and the heady aroma of the wild rose bush.
to smell something to notice the smell of something, especially by putting your nose near it: · Smell these roses - aren't they lovely?· If you smell gas in the apartment, call this number immediately.· I swear I haven't had anything to drink. Smell my breath.can smell (=notice a smell): · I can smell something burning - are you sure you turned the oven off?
to take quick breaths through your nose in order to smell something: · He opened the milk and sniffed it.· Otto looked around quickly to make sure no one was looking and then sniffed his armpits.sniff at: · The dog was rushing around excitedly, sniffing at the ground.
informal to notice a smell, just for a short time: · I caught a whiff of roast beef as I walked past the kitchen.· Lisa passed so close to Paul that he got a whiff of her perfume.
if an animal scents something, especially another animal, it can smell that it is near: · The dog had scented something in the bushes.· Police dogs have a very keen sense of smell and can scent even the slightest traces of drugs.
· Blind people often have a much better sense of smell than other people.· Smoking can really ruin a person's sense of smell.keen sense of smell (=very good one) · Pigs have a keen sense of smell, which is why they are used to find truffles.
to have a particular smell: smell of · She smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on her feet.· The whole house smells of garlic - what are you cooking?smell like · It smells like a hospital in here - has someone been using disinfectant?smell nice/horrible/sweet etc · This hand cream smells lovely, what's it called?· The meat smelled horrible, and I refused to eat it.
· The wine has a light, lemony smell.· Clothes washed in some detergents have a chemical smell.· The house was empty, and the rooms had a stale, damp smell.
to produce a particular type of smell that is fairly strong: give off something: · The mixture gave off a strong odor of sulfur.· The covers were damp from humidity and gave off a mildewy smell.· When dried, the flowers will continue to give off their fragrance for months and even years.
to think that someone has done something wrong to think that someone is probably guilty of something illegal or dishonest: · Act naturally and no one will suspect you.suspect somebody of (doing) something: · He had suspected her of lying for some time.· Both men had originally been suspected of Brown's murder.suspect murder/foul play (=suspect that there has been a murder): · A man has been found dead in his home and the police suspect foul play.
thinking that someone might be guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest, without being sure: · I started to get suspicious when I found a hotel bill in Sarah's pocket.suspicious of: · The police were suspicious of Simpson because his story did not quite make sense.suspicious about: · His employer became suspicious about the amount of money he was claiming for expenses.suspicious mind: · You have a very suspicious mind, Mary. No, I had nothing to do with this.
a feeling that someone is probably guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest: · I had no solid evidence, only vague suspicions.suspicion of: · She had always had a deep suspicion of journalists and reporters.deep suspicion: · ''What's that behind your back?'', Maria said with a look of deep suspicion.arouse/cause suspicion (=make people suspect you): · The money was taken out of the bank in small amounts so as not to arouse suspicion.on suspicion of murder/theft etc (=because the police suspect you are guilty of murder etc): · He's been arrested on suspicion of murder.
to have a slight feeling that someone has done something wrong, without having any definite information: have a sneaking suspicion that: · I had a sneaking suspicion that my agent was not telling me the truth.
to think you probably know who did something wrong: · I don't know for definite who stole the money, but I have my suspicions.
informal to guess that someone is doing something bad or dishonest, even though you do not know exactly what it is: · We started to smell a rat when they asked for an extra £500 deposit.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 2adjectives I worked out this morning and I feel great. You look great in that dress. the lingering aroma of chocolate You look nice in that suit. Mm, something smells nice! the pungent odour of garlic the rank odour of sweat and urine A sickly smell clung to his clothes and hair. The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. the sweet smell of success a vile smellCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· The food smelled good.
· That soup smells delicious.
· Rub your chopping board with lemon to keep it smelling fresh.
· A ripe melon will smell sweet.
· Cigarettes make your clothes smell awful.
· This place smells funny sometimes.
adverbs· The man smelled strongly of alcohol.
· His suit smelled faintly of tobacco.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The food smelt good to her.
I worked out this morning and I feel great. You look great in that dress. the lingering aroma of chocolate You look nice in that suit. Mm, something smells nice!· Her coat smelt of cheap perfume and cigarettes.
· The smell of perfume filled the air.
the pungent odour of garlic the rank odour of sweat and urine· We lose some of the sense of taste as we get older.
A sickly smell clung to his clothes and hair. The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. the sweet smell of success a vile smell· You can almost smell them now.· Nevertheless, he could almost smell the stench of fear: the house was too quiet.· You could almost smell the fear in their voices.· You can almost smell them just by looking at them.
· Perhaps that's why it smells so terrible in there.· It was not only stiff and cracked and stained, but it smelled so bad that he had to hold his breath.· Jim put his arms around me and I staggered out into the night, which smelled so good.
· I could still smell it, and his breath and his sweat.· For days, every time you step outside, you can still smell the smoke from this fire.· I've got all her cake tins and her chopping board, which still smells very evocatively of her wonderful Wienerschnitzel.· Past the house that still smells of fire.· He can still smell a million dollars when it's within reach.· I can still smell the ears roasting yonder where the Pauls and Sixo was.· I can still smell the changing rooms.· Gnoya Street still smelled of oil, of horse droppings, soap and axle grease.
· It may smell strongly but it is warm.· Add plenty of basil to the breadcrumbs so that the mixture smells strongly of the herb.
NOUN· The air smelled poisonous and dank.· As I step out the door, inhaling the cool air, I smell lightness and relief.· The air smelled of the black soil brought down from the mountains to make Tia Mimi s giant ferns grow tall.· The air smelled fresh and cold.· The air smelled of spices and there were hissing sounds from the bushes.· The air smells lovely, of leeks and straw and the breeze from the sea five miles away.· The air smells like a lot of things but mostly like new upholstery.
· It had smelled blood, fresh blood.· On some occasions men smell blood more easily than on others.· His head was between his knees and he could smell the blood.· And that will cause the Dallas Cowboys to smell blood.· As soon as she reached the open door, she smelled blood.· Tallis smelled blood and the more offensive stink of ordure.· The sharks will really smell blood.· If anyone cut themselves, he could smell the scent of blood and would scamper towards it.
· A dead body smells exactly the same as a dead animal.· No smell of brandy or port or wine, but her body smell.· He could feel the heat from her body, smell the soapy scent from her skin.· He was so close that Polly could feel his body warmth and smell the soap he had used that morning.
· Even at that distance Alan could smell its breath, which stank of stale blood.· It smelled of perfume and breath and there were horrible little bells.· He stayed where he was because he didn't want to get close enough for them to smell his breath.· I could smell bourbon on his breath.· They stood so close to him that he could smell their breath and see their decaying gappy teeth.· Officers said they smelled alcohol on his breath but they could not compel him to submit to a Breathalyzer test or urinalysis.· I smell Hollinger's dead breath.
· I smelled the coffee and followed my nose.· Trouble is, my tenant on the second floor can smell coffee from my kitchen on the first floor.· I could certainly smell coffee brewing.· While the field has changed with rent control nearly quashed, wake up and smell the coffee of a new day.· Wake up and smell the coffee, guys.· When I woke, I smelled coffee and heard footsteps in the kitchen and the hallway.· Alone, she smelled other people's coffee, other people's cakes.
· She smelled the tang of fear in her nostrils and the taste of it in her mouth.· The group of children smelled my fear and anxiety.· I can feel that least black boy out there coming up the hall, smelling out for my fear.· You could almost smell the fear in their voices.· A marsh hawk appeared from behind and swooped low over him, perhaps smelling fear and hoping for leftovers.· Through nostrils she smelled the fear and the death in this wretched band more powerfully.
· All you could smell was boiled fish.· It smelled of fish oil and something that made Wyatt think of a mattress that had been doused with beer.· In the village, you could smell the fish sauce.· The boy handed him a limp paper bag that smelled of tuna fish.
· He needed to kiss her, even just gentle kisses dropped on her wind-blown hair that smelled of sunshine and flowers.· But Masterson is also convincing as a woman susceptible to the lure of taking time to smell the flowers.· For him there is not yet time to stop and smell the flowers.· For years, there has been little time to stop and smell the flowers.
· Look for their Hair Glistener - it leaves hair smelling irresistible and creates subtle, glittering highlights in your hair.· He needed to kiss her, even just gentle kisses dropped on her wind-blown hair that smelled of sunshine and flowers.· Her hair smelled of tortillas and smoke.· His thick hair smelled of incense.· I can smell Marie - the way her hair used to smell.· Her hair smelled exactly the same as it had always done.
· But my jokes when I was young tended to smell of oil rather.· It smelled of fish oil and something that made Wyatt think of a mattress that had been doused with beer.· The floor of the barn was cold stone and slimy and smelled of engine oil and damp cereals.· I smelled the light oil on it.· He smelled the dust and oil of three thousand miles on Mitch's jacket.· The very air smelled of oil.· Gnoya Street still smelled of oil, of horse droppings, soap and axle grease.
· They could smell her dry perfume from yards away.· But he was still so close that he could smell the perfume of patchouli on the corpse's moustache.· It smelled of perfume and breath and there were horrible little bells.· One also wonders whether it is wise to smoke or to smell of perfume when handling horses.· She had repressed the urge to reach over and touch her-this woman who smelled deliciously of perfume and powder.· I keep on thinking that I can even smell her perfume.· Toni smelled her perfume like roses on a fresh morning.
· It is enough to make you smell a rat and be damned for your cynicism.· He could smell a rat, and he knew just how the men had been cheated.· I only began to smell a rat when he couldn't come up with the documents he claimed to have.· Suffice to say, we smell a rat.· She felt that he was beginning to smell a rat.· I smell a rat here - I really do.· Niki smelled the rat and said unless his driving contract were honoured, he would move to McLaren.
· The room began to smell of feathers and shit.· The rooms smelled musty and airless, and wallpaper was peeling in great patches.· I sleep in a back room, a servant's room, that smells of mildew and wet soot.· It began to seem that the room smelled like cigarette smoke.· Dooley came into the room, smelling of soap, with Barnabas at his side.· They were married in a room smelling of varnish and floor wax, and official documents growing musty in the filing cabinets.· She leads Maya indoors to a front room that smells of moisture and paint.
· No time to stop and smell the roses?· Toni smelled her perfume like roses on a fresh morning.
· After a while, you can't smell your own scent - but everyone else certainly can!· He could smell the tiniest scent of chocolate on the wrapper.· On my hands and knees and with my eyes shut, I could smell their faint scent.· There were many conflicting smells -- musty scents suggestive of faded perfumes, herbal teas, and an aging woman.· No other flowers were in the garden, yet I seemed to smell the strong scent of nicotiana.· She could feel his breath on her cheek, and smell the faint warm scent of his skin.· Even before the Court of Investigation confirmed the workers' stand, the trade unions had smelled the scent of victory.· She heard the rustle of him pulling down his pyjama trousers and then she smelled the warm male scent of him.
· Then, smelling tobacco smoke, the word Woodbine wound into my head.· For days, every time you step outside, you can still smell the smoke from this fire.· He needed a bath and quickly, he imagined he could smell smoke and the sour stench of sweat from his skin.· If you smell smoke, hit the floor, and crawl to the nearest exit.· All the man could smell was the nasty smoke he was making.· The apartment door was already standing open and the hallway smelled of stale smoke.· He says that there will be no pollution, nothing will smell, no smoke will be seen.· It began to seem that the room smelled like cigarette smoke.
· He could smell the harsh carbolic soap of the orphanage, then the schoolroom with its dust and chalk.· Dooley came into the room, smelling of soap, with Barnabas at his side.· When he passed Stella in the corridor she could smell scented soap.· The people smelled of lye soap.· It had smelled like this soap today, a light, entirely distinctive smell, a little like - what flower?· She passed directly behind him, so close he could smell the perfumed soap on her skin.· Kate could smell Pears soap and the smell brought back memories of when she had been younger.· His skin smelled of Ivory soap.
· She could smell the sweat on his body and feel his excited breathing.· He smelled light sweat, felt spittle reaching to his chin.· He could also smell his own sweat.· She smelled of horse sweat and the greasy shit smell of canned butter heating on a kerosene stove.· I smelled sweat and the drink on his breath.· It smells of sweat and that scent Mr Azul favours.· He could faintly smell her sweat, and also the lavender of the garland she wore in her hair.
VERB· I only began to smell a rat when he couldn't come up with the documents he claimed to have.· Usually, the dough begins to smell yeasty and is very slow to proof, even when warmed.· He looked around in alarm when he began to smell the escaping gas, and quickly noticed the smashed tap.· I began to smell the odor of steak and fried potatoes and coffee cutting through the smell of hay and manure.· The room began to smell of feathers and shit.· John begins to smell like a bush-league version of Joe McCarthy.· He went cautiously out into the field, squatted down against a clump of thistles and began to smell the wind.· My whole arm began to smell positively revolting, and the pain was almost unbearable.
· Find out what he saw, heard, smelled and tasted.· It is as important as seeing or hearing or smelling.· I could hear them, smell them, but I could not see anyone.· Be sure to hear the sounds, smell the smells, experience the sensations.
· For him there is not yet time to stop and smell the flowers.· No time to stop and smell the roses?· He did not touch them or stop to smell.· For years, there has been little time to stop and smell the flowers.
· Now I could touch and smell things.· She had repressed the urge to reach over and touch her-this woman who smelled deliciously of perfume and powder.· He can't touch or smell.· She jetted to foreign places, touched things and smelled her fingers.· There is nothing to see, touch, taste, smell, hear.· Carry it around so that each one can touch and smell it.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1notice a smell [transitive] to notice or recognize a particular smellcan smell something- And then you go out with some other woman and she smells wrong.
- So, in short, if a fish smells fishy it is an indication that it is going off.
- The Adkinsons' neighbors smelled wrong in the air, but pinched their noses closed and kept to themselves.
- Why does fish usually smell fishy?
- Müller had smelled trouble the moment she said who she was.
- You seem to smell danger and taste excitement and, as television has no smell or taste, that is powerful evocation.
- The investor doesn't start to smell a rat until the payments aren't coming in.
- We started to smell a rat when they asked for an extra £500 deposit.
- He could smell a rat, and he knew just how the men had been cheated.
- I smell a rat here - I really do.
- I only began to smell a rat when he couldn't come up with the documents he claimed to have.
- It is enough to make you smell a rat and be damned for your cynicism.
- She felt that he was beginning to smell a rat.
- Suffice to say, we smell a rat.
- They gave off a pungent, horsey smell, as if freshly cut.
- While the field has changed with rent control nearly quashed, wake up and smell the coffee of a new day.
I can smell burning. Can you smell something?2have a smell [linking verb] to have a particular smellsmell good/sweet/delicious/fresh etc The stew smelled delicious. Mm! Something smells good!smell bad/funny/awful etc The water smells funny.smell of/like something My clothes smelt of smoke. It smells like rotten eggs.sweet-smelling/foul-smelling etc sweet-smelling flowersGRAMMAR: Linking verbsSmell is a linking verb in this meaning. It links the subject of the sentence with an adjective: · The cream smells funny (=it has a strange smell)3have a bad smell [intransitive] to have an unpleasant smell: Your feet smell! The room smelled to high heaven (=had a very bad smell).4put your nose near something [transitive] to put your nose near something in order to discover what kind of smell it has SYN sniff: She bent down and smelt the flowers.5have ability [intransitive] to have the ability to notice and recognize smells: I’ve got a cold and I can’t smell.6smell trouble/danger etc to feel that something is going to happen, especially something bad: Miller had smelled trouble the moment she said who she was.7smell a rat informal to guess that something wrong or dishonest is happening8smell wrong/fishy/odd etc informal to seem dishonest or untrue: The whole thing is beginning to smell fishy to me. → come up/out smelling of roses at rose1(6)GRAMMAR: Using the progressive• The verb smell is not usually used in the progressive. You say: · I smell gas.· That smells nice. ✗Don’t say: I am smelling gas. | That is smelling nice.• You often say someone can smell something when describing what they smell: · I can smell gas.· I could smell her perfume.• The present participle smelling is used to form adjectives such as sweet-smelling and foul-smelling.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivessmell good/nice etc· The food smelled good.smell delicious· That soup smells delicious.smell fresh· Rub your chopping board with lemon to keep it smelling fresh.smell sweet· A ripe melon will smell sweet.smell bad/awful etc· Cigarettes make your clothes smell awful.smell funny/strange· This place smells funny sometimes.adverbssmell strongly of something· The man smelled strongly of alcohol.smell faintly of something· His suit smelled faintly of tobacco.smell something ↔ out phrasal verb1to find something by smelling SYN sniff out: They use dogs trained to smell out explosives.2informal to find or recognize something because you have a natural ability to do this SYN sniff out: They’ll be able to smell out any corruption.