Definition

Verb: - To discover, detect, or identify something by using or as if by using the sense of smell. - To find or uncover something hidden or not obvious through keen perception or investigation.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The police dog was able to scent out the drugs hidden in the luggage.
  • As an experienced journalist, she can scent out a story from the smallest clue.
  • The truffle hunter's pig will scent out the valuable fungi buried underground.

Advanced Usage

• "to scent something out": To diligently search for and find something.
  • The detective scented out the truth after weeks of investigation.
• Often used figuratively to describe the act of discovering information, opportunities, or problems through intuition or skill, not literal smell.

Variants and Related Words

• Scent (verb): To perceive or detect by smell.
  • The deer scented the hunter on the wind.
• Smell out (phrasal verb): A synonym with the same meaning as "scent out."
  • The committee was formed to smell out corruption in the department.

Synonyms

• Detect: To discover or identify the presence of something.
• Uncover: To find something that was hidden or secret.
• Ferret out: To discover something by searching thoroughly and persistently.
• Nose out: To discover by prying or searching (informal).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sniff out: To find or detect something, especially through investigation or intuition, similar to "scent out."
  • It's her job to sniff out the best talent for the team.

Related Idioms

• Have a nose for (something): To have a natural ability to find or recognize something.
  • A good reporter has a nose for news. (This idiom relates to the figurative skill described by "scent out.")

Verb

1. recognize or detect by or as if by smelling
   • He can smell out trouble