World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesSmell
/smɛl/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
The faculty or power of perceiving odors through the nose.
"Dogs have a very acute sense of smell." - 2
A quality of things perceived by the olfactory sense, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
"The sweet smell of blooming jasmine filled the garden."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'smellen', possibly related to Middle Low German or Middle Dutch words meaning to emit an odor or burn slowly. Over centuries, its meaning broadened from general odor emission to the specific sensory perception via the olfactory system.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Smell"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Smell" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
odeur
Transliteration: oh-dœʁ
"La délicieuse odeur du pain frais."
Geruch
Transliteration: ɡəˈʁʊx
"Der süße Geruch von Blumen."
odore
Transliteration: oˈdo.re
"Il buon odore del caffè."
olor
Transliteration: oˈloɾ
"El agradable olor de la lluvia."
cheiro
Transliteration: ˈʃej.ɾu
"O cheiro das flores no jardim."
गंध
Transliteration: gandh
"फूलों की मीठी गंध हवा में फैल गई।"
气味
Transliteration: qì wèi
"房间里有一股花香的气味。"
냄새
Transliteration: naemsae
"맛있는 냄새가 난다."
匂い
Transliteration: nioi
"花のいい匂いがする。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
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