smell
verb (used with object)
to perceive the odor or scent of through the nose by means of the olfactory nerves; inhale the odor of.
had smelled
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past perfectof smell.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Passengers on a northbound Northern Line train pressed the emergency alarm after thinking they had smelled smoke.
From BBC ● May 8, 2024
A neighbor, John Padgett, told ABC7 News that he had smelled gas while walking his dog earlier.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 16, 2024
The NTSB’s preliminary investigation also found that workers in both buildings had smelled rotting eggs, an odorant added to normally odorless natural gas, before the explosion.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 7, 2023
It wasn’t the first time she had smelled burning in Men’s Central Jail.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2023
She had smelled it before, with Yoren and the others.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
