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smell
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- pronunciation:
- smel
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- smell a rat
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
smells, smelling, smelled, smelt |
| definition 1: |
to perceive the odor of by means of the nose.
She smelled smoke and went downstairs to investigate.I have such a bad cold that I can hardly smell anything.I think I smell something burning.[verb + smby/smth + present participle
]
- synonyms:
- nose, scent
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| definition 2: |
to examine by using the sense of smell.
She smelled the milk to see if it was still fresh.
- synonyms:
- sniff, snuff
- similar words:
- examine
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| definition 3: |
to detect; discern.
We smelled deceit in his words and in his manner.- synonyms:
- detect, discern, sense, sniff
- similar words:
- feel, perceive, root, suspect
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| related words: |
detect |
| phrase: |
smell a rat |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to have or give off an odor or fragrance.
These flowers don't smell very much.Her skin smells nice.The meat smelled fresh.The perfume smells like tropical flowers. |
| definition 2: |
to perceive an odor by means of the nose.
The medication affects my ability to smell.- similar words:
- sniff
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| definition 3: |
to have or give off an unpleasant odor; stink.
The rotten vegetables started to smell.- synonyms:
- reek, stink
- similar words:
- root
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| definition 4: |
to possess an odor produced by something else (usu. fol. by "of").
His clothing smelled of smoke.The kitchen smelled of freshly baked bread. |
| definition 5: |
to investigate (usu. fol. by about or around).
The detectives smelled around the place for some evidence.- synonyms:
- sniff
- similar words:
- nose
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| related words: |
fume, scent |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the act or an instance of smelling.
One smell was enough to know the food was rotten.- similar words:
- odor
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| definition 2: |
the sense through which scent is perceived.
Dogs have a keen sense of smell.- synonyms:
- olfaction
- similar words:
- scent
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| definition 3: |
the quality that may be perceived through this sense.
I love the smell of coffee in the morning.- synonyms:
- odor, scent, whiff
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| definition 4: |
a pervasive influence or quality, as of a situation.
The smell of victory was in the air.- synonyms:
- aroma, odor
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| related words: |
aroma, fragrance, perception, perfume |
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