smelling Definition

smell
noun

1. The sense that allows different odours to be recognized by specialized receptors in the mucous membranes of the nose.
2. The characteristic odour of a particular substance.

Example: It has a strong smell
Thesaurus: fragrance, scent, aroma, perfume, bouquet, odour.
3. An unpleasant odour

Example: What a smell!
4. An act of using this sense.

Example: Have a smell of this
5. A sense, savour or suggestion of something.

Example: The smell of money always brings him back

verb smelled, smelt, smelling

1. To recognize (a substance) by its odour.

Thesaurus: scent, sniff, inhale, get a whiff of, perceive, detect.
intr
2. To give off an unpleasant odour.

Example: This rubbish tip really smells
Thesaurus: stink, reek, stench.
3. To give off a specified odour

Example: the perfume smells flowery.
4. To be aware of something by intuition; to recognize signs or traces of.

Example: I smell a government cover-up

Derivative: smeller
noun

Idiom: smell a rat

See under rat.

Etymology: 12c as smel.

Phrasal Verb: smell of something

To give off an odour of it.To show signs or traces of it.
Example: It is an organization smelling of corruption

Phrasal Verb: smell someone or something out

To track them down by smell, or as if by smell.