olfactory

American  

[ol-fak-tuh-ree, -tree, ohl-] / ɒlˈfæk tə ri, -tri, oʊl- /

adjective

1. of or relating to the sense of smell.

   olfactory organs.

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noun

olfactories plural

1. Usually olfactories. an olfactory organ.

2. olfactory nerve.

olfactory British  

/ -trɪ, ɒlˈfæktərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to the sense of smell

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noun

1. (usually plural) an organ or nerve concerned with the sense of smell

olfactory Scientific  

/ ŏl-făk′tə-rē,ōl- /

1. Relating to or involving the organs or sense of smell.

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olfactory Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for the sense of smell.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• olfactorily
  adverb
• nonolfactory
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• olfactories
  plural

Etymology

Origin of olfactory

1650–60; < Latin olfactōrius, equivalent to olfac ( ere ) to smell at, sniff ( ol ( ēre ) to smell (akin to odor ) + facere to make, do) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Explanation

Something olfactory has to do with the sense of smell. The odor from that factory is a symphony of olfactory delights. Not. Though we typically think of dogs as the olfactory champions of the world, what with their remarkable ability to sniff out practically anything, the true title belongs to the polar bear. Healthy, adult polar bears possess olfactory gifts that boggle the mind: they can smell a seal under the ice from over a kilometer away. One way to try to remember the meaning of the word olfactory is to think of factory. Your nose is the "factory" where odors are processed. What visual is to the eyes, olfactory is to the nose.

Example Sentences

Olfactory detectors like radon monitors or smoke alarms have existed for decades, but they mainly search for one danger only.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Olfactory concept cells, important for memory, thus seem to bring together the senses of sight and smell.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2025

Olfactory loss is one of the initial symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

From Scientific American • Mar. 28, 2023

Olfactory stimulation is the only sensory information that directly reaches the cerebral cortex, whereas other sensations are relayed through the thalamus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Olfactory receptors for communication between different creatures are crucial for the establishment of symbiotic relations.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

• audiovisual
• auditory
• aural
• neural
• neurological
• sensual
• sonic
• tactile
• visual