Definition

1. Noun:
   • A smell, especially one that is distinctive or pervasive: A property perceived by the sense of smell; an aroma or scent, which can be pleasant or unpleasant.
   • A distinctive quality or atmosphere associated with something: A figurative sense referring to a characteristic or reputational quality that seems to surround a person or thing.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The odour of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen.
  • A strange chemical odour was coming from the laboratory.
  • The scandal left an odour of corruption around the administration.

Advanced Usage

• To be in bad/ill odour (with someone): To be in disfavour or regarded with disapproval.
  • After the failed project, he was in bad odour with the management.
• Odour of sanctity: A state or reputation of exceptional holiness or piety (often used historically or figuratively).
  • The old tales spoke of the saint dying with an odour of sanctity.

Variants and Related Words

• Odourless (adj): Having no smell; without odour.
  • Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas.
• Odorous (adj): Having a smell, especially a strong one.
  • The odorous flowers attracted many bees.

Synonyms

• Smell: The most general synonym for something perceived by the nose.
• Scent: Often implies a pleasant or distinctive smell.
• Aroma: Typically a pleasant, often spicy or food-related, smell.
• Stench: A strong and very unpleasant smell.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Phrases

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its usage is primarily in set phrases like those in the 'Advanced Usage' section.)

Related Idioms

• Odour of sanctity: As described in 'Advanced Usage'.

Noun

1. any property detected by the olfactory system
2. the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
   • she loved the smell of roses