smelling

verbperceive with the nose

verbhave an odor

Word Origin & History

late 12c., "emit or perceive an odor," not found in Old English, perhaps cognate with Middle Dutch smolen, Low German smelen "to smolder" (see smolder). However, OED says "no doubt of Old English origin, but not recorded, and not represented in any of the cognate languages." Related: Smelled or smelt; smelling.

Smelling salts (1840), used to revive the woozy, typically were a scented preparation of carbonate of ammonia. Smell-feast (n.) "one who finds and frequents good tables, one who scents out where free food is to be had" is from 1510s ("very common" c.1540-1700, OED). Smell-smock "licentious man" was in use c.1550-c.1900. To smell a rat "be suspicious" is from 1540s.

Example Sentences for smelling

If his talk stinks not of treason in every line, why then I have no smelling sense.

I recognised my photograph, taken in Le Passant, smelling a rose.

They stood side by side, watching and listening and smelling.

Their vse is much in ornament, and comforting the spirits, by the sence of smelling.

No; that is a pleasure of the organ of smelling—a sensual pleasure.

Nor did she run to hold a smelling bottle, or to raise her head.

See how he's smelling at the liquor, now he's licking the top of it with his tongue.

On smelling to the mouth of the jar I discovered its contents to be brandy.

He found ointment for her burns; smelling salts; damp cloths.

Maybe the smelling salts had something to do with it, but I rather think not.

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Synonyms for smelling

verb perceive with the nose

Antonyms for smelling

More words related to smelling

rotten

adjective. decayed, decaying

scented

adjective. fragrant