smell

/smɛl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: smells · smelling · smelled

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A sensation, pleasant or unpleasant, detected by inhaling air (or, the case of water-breathing animals, water) carrying airborne molecules of a substance.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Cảm giác, dễ chịu hay khó chịu, được phát hiện bằng cách hít thở không khí

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

I love the smell of fresh bread.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The sense that detects odours.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Giác quan phát hiện mùi

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To sense a smell or smells.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

cảm nhận được mùi

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

I can smell fresh bread.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To sense a smell or smells. — To detect or perceive; often with out.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

phát hiện hoặc nhận thức

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

I smell a device.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “smell” mean?

A sensation, pleasant or unpleasant, detected by inhaling air (or, the case of water-breathing animals, water) carrying airborne molecules of a substance.

Is “smell” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.