scent

[sent]

noun

1. a distinctive odor, especially when agreeable.

   the scent of roses.

2. an odor left in passing, by means of which an animal or person may be traced.

3. a track or trail as or as if indicated by such an odor.

   The dogs lost the scent and the prisoner escaped.

4. perfume.

5. the sense of smell.

   a remarkably keen scent.

6. small pieces of paper dropped by the hares in the game of hare and hounds.

verb (used with object)

1. to perceive or recognize by or as if by the sense of smell.

   to scent trouble.

   Synonyms: sniff, smell

2. to fill with an odor; perfume.

verb (used without object)

1. to hunt by the sense of smell, as a hound.

scent

/ sɛnt /

noun

1. a distinctive smell, esp a pleasant one

2. a smell left in passing, by which a person or animal may be traced

3. a trail, clue, or guide

4. an instinctive ability for finding out or detecting

5. another word (esp Brit) for perfume

verb

1. (tr) to recognize or be aware of by or as if by the smell

2. (tr) to have a suspicion of; detect

   I scent foul play

3. (tr) to fill with odour or fragrance

4. (intr) (of hounds, etc) to hunt by the sense of smell

5. to smell (at)

   the dog scented the air

Other Word Forms

• scentless adjective
• scentlessness noun
• nonscented adjective
• outscent verb (used with object)
• overscented adjective
• unscented adjective
• well-scented adjective
• scented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scent¹

First recorded in 1325–75; (verb) earlier sent, Middle English senten, from Middle French sentir “to smell,” from Latin sentīre, “to feel”; (noun) Middle English, derivative of the verb sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of scent¹

C14: from Old French sentir to sense, from Latin sentīre to feel; see _sense

Idioms and Phrases

see throw off, def. 3.

Synonym Study

See odor.

Example Sentences

When I first read those sketches, they struck me as lovely but pointless, yet they have lingered with me over the years, like an indelible scent or flavor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Now Henry can detect seven scents, ranging from birds of prey to hedgehogs, helping police track down those involved in wildlife crime.

Read more on BBC

Some carnivorous pitcher plants reflect UV light as part of their display, using colour, scent and nectar to lure prey.

Read more on BBC

She gave an enthusiastic review of the body wash’s scent.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The scent of trees and soil is full of organic compounds released by plants and "when you breathe them in, some molecules pass into the bloodstream."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• aura 
• bouquet 
• essence 
• odor 
• perfume 
• spice 
• whiff