Smell Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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smell

[smɛl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sense

The faculty or power of perceiving odors or scents by means of the organs in the nose; the sense of smell.

Synonyms

aroma, odor, scent.

Examples of usage

  • Dogs have a much keener sense of smell than humans.
  • The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.
Context #2 | Verb

detect

Perceive or detect the odor or scent of (something).

Synonyms

detect, scent, sniff.

Examples of usage

  • She could smell the delicious aroma of the stew cooking in the kitchen.
  • I could smell smoke in the air.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Biology

  • Human noses can detect about 1 trillion different scents, far surpassing the number of colors our eyes can see.
  • The sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions and memories.

Psychology

  • Smells can evoke strong memories and feelings, often referred to as the 'Proust phenomenon' after the writer Marcel Proust, who described this in his work.
  • Certain scents can trigger calming responses, influencing mood and stress levels.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, scent plays a significant role in tradition, such as incense in religious ceremonies or fragrances in perfumes to signify status.
  • Smell is also an important part of cooking; the aroma of food can be just as crucial as its taste in sharing cultural identities.

Environmental Impact

  • Pollution can affect the ability to smell, leading to a decline in air quality and public health.
  • Certain plants release scents to attract pollinators, playing a vital role in the ecosystem's food chain.

Origin of 'smell'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Old English 'smellan', which means 'to smell' or 'to perceive odor'.
  • In different cultures, variations of the word also exist, like 'olfactory' from the Latin 'olfacere', meaning 'to smell' or 'to catch a scent'.

The word 'smell' originated from the Old English 'smylten' which meant to emit or emit a smell. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass the sense of perceiving odors. The sense of smell is one of the oldest and most important senses in humans and animals, playing a crucial role in survival and social interactions.


See also: smelling, smelly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,460, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.