smells nasty.”
The words stench, stink, and odor all describe bad smells – there’s the foul odor of a dead animal, and
the revolting stench of sewage. The unpleasant smell of a person who doesn’t take showers or use
deodorant is called body odor.
To describe the strength of smells, you can say they are light/faint smells or strong smells. When a
smell is extremely strong, you can say it is an overpowering smell. A smell that you recognize can be
called a familiar smell, and a smell that is unique and easy to identify can be called a distinctive smell or
an unmistakable smell.
Smells can “waft” – that means float through the air. For example, the mouth-watering scent of
chocolate chip cookies wafted across the room. Another verb used with smell is “fill” – the acrid smell of
smoke filled the hallway. Finally, if a smell stays in a place for a long time, we can use the verb “linger” –
the spicy aroma of her cooking lingered in the kitchen for hours.
Here are some additional collocations for describing smells:
earthy/fishy/fruity/metallic smell – smells like soil/dirt, fish, fruit, or metal
rancid/putrid smell – a disgusting smell of things that are rotten
damp/dank smell – a smell of wet things and mold
a pervasive smell – a smell that tends to fill the space and remain there
a pungent smell – a smell that is “sharp” and strong; it almost hurts your nose when you smell it
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Lesson 32 – Quiz
1. I can't stand the extensive / pervasive / prevalent odor of smoke in that bar.
2. I love the familiar / pungent / revolting smell of my grandmother's chicken soup.
3. I sensed the differential / distinctive / distinguished smell of frying onions.
4. She breathed in the earthy / metallic / putrid fragrance of the forest.
5. Something in the fridge smells damp / rancid / stink - like rotting meat.
6. The bathroom smells so fresh / frisky / foul right after it's been cleaned!
7. The smell of vomit continued / lasted / lingered in the hospital room.
8. There was a faint / small / mild smell of alcohol on his breath.
9. This wine has a light fruity aroma / odor / stench.
10. Your sweaty gym clothes smell faint / nasty / spicy.
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