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.
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
The cause of the blast was not immediately clear but witnesses said they had smelled gas prior to hearing the explosion.
From Reuters ● Jul. 3, 2023
According to a preliminary investigation by the fire department, a restaurant employee had smelled a gas leak about an hour before the explosion.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2023
He also considered that what he was experiencing, though horrifying, was perhaps an edited version of what the plaintiffs had smelled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2022
“Let’s try this one,” she said, opening the brown-and-gold rectangle that had smelled so sweet.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
