Odor: meaning, definitions and examples

General term, often associated with something unpleasant or intense. Can have a negative connotation.

• The kitchen had a strong odor of garlic.
• There was a foul odor coming from the garbage.

Neutral term that can be used for pleasant or neutral smells. Often used for perfumes, flowers, and animals.

• The scent of jasmine was in the air.
• The dog picked up the scent of a rabbit.

Suggests a pleasant and often complex smell, usually used for food, drinks, or flowers.

• The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the house.
• She loved the aroma of the coffee in the morning.

General term for anything detected by the nose. Can be neutral, positive, or negative.

• I love the smell of rain.
• There was a strange smell in the room.

This word is typically used to refer to a smell, often an unpleasant one. It's commonly used in general or scientific contexts.

• There was a strong odor coming from the trash can.
• The chemicals produced an unusual odor.

This word is used to describe a pleasant smell, commonly associated with flowers, perfumes, or other nice-smelling things. It has a positive connotation.

• The fragrance of roses filled the room.
• She loves the fragrance of her favorite perfume.

This word is used to describe a liquid, typically containing essential oils, that people apply to their bodies to smell good. It has a positive connotation.

• She bought a new bottle of perfume.
• He could still smell her perfume after she left.

This is a neutral term that can be used for any kind of smell, though it often leans towards pleasant smells. It's commonly used when talking about nature or subtle smells.

• The scent of pine trees reminds me of Christmas.
• Dogs have a keen sense of scent.

refers to any kind of smell, often with a negative connotation, used in more formal or scientific contexts.

• The lab was filled with the odor of chemicals
• The odor coming from the trash was unbearable

a general term for any scent, neutral in connotation, and can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

• The smell of the ocean is so refreshing
• There was a strange smell in the old house

can describe any smell, but often used for pleasant smells and in contexts like detecting, trailing, or identifying smells.

• The dog picked up the scent of the missing person
• The scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the house

describes a very strong, unpleasant smell; always negative.

• The socks reeked after a week of hiking
• The kitchen reeked of rotten eggs