smell — to perceive or detect odor through the nose
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to perceive or detect odor through the nose
Pronunciation (IPA): /smɛl/
Example Sentences
- Something smells fishy about this deal.
- I love the smell of rain on hot summer days.
- My dog can smell a hamburger from three blocks away.
smell
VERB[/smɛl/]
to perceive or detect odor through the nose
Mother and daughter smelling fresh cookies
When the bell rings, the smell will tell!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Smell derives from Old English 'smiellan', a word rooted in the Germanic language family's common ancestor. This ancient verb describes the fundamental human experience of olfactory perception, the act of detecting odors through the sense of smell.
Breakdown
The word evolved from Old English 'smiellan' to Middle English 'smellen' and finally to modern English 'smell'. The original Germanic root likely expressed the concept of perceiving through the nose or detecting scents, with the '-an' suffix indicating the infinitive form in Old English.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Something smells fishy about this deal.”
“I love the smell of rain on hot summer days.”
“My dog can smell a hamburger from three blocks away.”
“His cooking skills smell like disaster waiting to happen.”
📚Related Words
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