smell

noun

UK /smel/

Word Forms

singular	smell
plural	smells

1
countable the pleasant or unpleasant quality of something that you notice when you breathe in through your nose
This paint gives off a very strong smell.
unpleasant smells
smell of:
There’s a delicious smell of fresh bread coming from the kitchen.
Synonyms and related words
Unpleasant smells
niff
odor
odour
Synonyms and related words
Pleasant smells
aroma
bouquet
fragrance
1. 1a
  an unpleasant smell
  Whatever is that smell?
  Synonyms and related words
  Unpleasant smells
  niff
  odor
  odour
See alsoaroma
2
uncountable the ability to notice or recognize smells
Some experts can tell by smell alone what ingredients are in a dish.
sense of smell:
Dogs have an excellent sense of smell.
Synonyms and related words
The senses and using the senses
acute
assail
assault
3
countable usually singularan instance of smelling something
Have a smell of this perfume.
Synonyms and related words
The senses and using the senses
acute
assail
assault
4
pass the smell test
to be morally acceptable
Robinson’s removal as an independent investigator doesn’t pass the smell test, and many believe it was done for political reasons.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 11/05/2017
Open Dictionary - May2017

smell

noun

US /smel/

Word Forms

singular	smell
plural	smells

1
countable the pleasant or unpleasant quality of something that you notice when you breathe in through your nose
This paint gives off a very strong smell.
unpleasant smells
smell of:
There’s a delicious smell of fresh bread coming from the kitchen.
Synonyms and related words
Unpleasant smells
niff
odor
odour
Synonyms and related words
Pleasant smells
aroma
bouquet
fragrance
1. 1a
  an unpleasant smell
  Whatever is that smell?
  Synonyms and related words
  Unpleasant smells
  niff
  odor
  odour
See alsoaroma
2
uncountable the ability to notice or recognize smells
Some experts can tell by smell alone what ingredients are in a dish.
sense of smell:
Dogs have an excellent sense of smell.
Synonyms and related words
The senses and using the senses
acute
assail
assault
3
countable usually singularan instance of smelling something
Take a smell of this perfume.
Synonyms and related words
The senses and using the senses
acute
assail
assault
4
pass the smell test
to be morally acceptable
Robinson’s removal as an independent investigator doesn’t pass the smell test, and many believe it was done for political reasons.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 11/05/2017
Open Dictionary - May2017

smell

verb

UK /smel/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	smell
he/she/it	smells
present participle	smelling
past tense	smelled or smelt
past participle	smelled or smelt

1
linking verb to have a particular smell
This room smells a bit damp.
a strong-smelling perfume
This milk smells off (=no longer fresh).
smell of:
The laboratory smelled strongly of chemicals.
smell like:
It smells like a bar in here.
Synonyms and related words
Linking verbs
appear
be
become
1. 1a
  intransitive never progressiveto have an unpleasant smell
  His feet really smell.
  Synonyms and related words
  To produce a smell
  scent
  reek
  smell
2
transitive never progressiveto notice or recognize the smell of something
Sasha could smell the sweet aroma of warm chocolate.
Do you smell gas?
Synonyms and related words
The senses and using the senses
acute
assail
assault
3
transitive to experience the smell of something by putting your nose close to it
Come and smell these roses.
Synonyms and related words
To taste or smell something
catch
olfactory
palate
4
intransitive never progressiveto be able to experience the smell of things
I can’t smell at all with this cold.
Synonyms and related words
To taste or smell something
catch
olfactory
palate
5
transitive to feel that something is going to happen, usually something bad
smell danger/trouble:
I could just smell trouble in that club.
Synonyms and related words
Predicting and prediction
predict
prediction
forecast
6
intransitive to be illegal or dishonest
I can’t put my finger on it, but something about this deal really smells.
Synonyms and related words
Illegal or dishonest
illegal
unlawful
shady

phrases

smell blood

smell a rat

smell

verb

US /smel/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	smell
he/she/it	smells
present participle	smelling
past tense	smelled or smelt
past participle	smelled or smelt

1
linking verb to have a particular smell
This room smells a little damp.
a strong-smelling perfume
This milk smells off (=no longer fresh).
smell of:
The laboratory smelled strongly of chemicals.
smell like:
It smells like a bar in here.
Synonyms and related words
Linking verbs
appear
be
become
1. 1a
  intransitive never progressiveto have an unpleasant smell
  His feet really smell.
  Synonyms and related words
  To produce a smell
  scent
  reek
  smell
2
transitive never progressiveto notice or recognize the smell of something
Sasha could smell the sweet aroma of warm chocolate.
Do you smell gas?
Synonyms and related words
The senses and using the senses
acute
assail
assault
3
transitive to experience the smell of something by putting your nose close to it
Come and smell these roses.
Synonyms and related words
To taste or smell something
catch
olfactory
palate
4
intransitive never progressiveto be able to experience the smell of things
I can’t smell at all with this cold.
Synonyms and related words
To taste or smell something
catch
olfactory
palate
5
transitive to feel that something is going to happen, usually something bad
smell danger/trouble:
I could just smell trouble in that club.
Synonyms and related words
Predicting and prediction
predict
prediction
forecast
6
intransitive to be illegal or dishonest
I can’t put my finger on it, but something about this deal really smells.
Synonyms and related words
Illegal or dishonest
illegal
unlawful
shady

phrases

smell blood

smell a rat

phrasal verbs

smell up

smell ​‌‌

pass the smell test

smell ​‌‌

pass the smell test

smell ​‌‌

smell ​‌‌

smell

smell

smell

smell