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.
smells
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pluralof smell.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof smell (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
smellverb (used with object)to perceive the odor or scent of through the nose by means of the olfactory nerves; inhale the odor of.
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.
His book moves from odor to odor, asking what certain smells evoke and what their disappearance might mean.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
"We have just been walking around, looking at the people and the atmosphere, and you can feel that the air is completely different. Everything smells of freedom."
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
The attorneys said detainees have complained about going three to seven hours without water, and about having access only to tap water that tastes like metal and smells like fish.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
"It smells horrible," he said, explaining the fungus attracts flies which help spread its spores.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
It smells like Aunt Melissa’s lavender-and-mint shampoo, which is oddly comforting.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
