scent
scent Lexical Profile
scent Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A distinctive, often agreeable odor or smell.
"The delicate scent of blooming jasmine drifted through the open window during the warm summer evening."
A trail or track of odor left by a person or animal, especially one used for tracking or pursuit.
"Search and rescue dogs quickly picked up the missing hiker's scent and led the team toward the ravine."
The faculty, sense, or power of smelling.
"Sharks have an exceptionally keen scent that allows them to detect tiny amounts of blood from miles away."
• verb
To impart a distinct, usually pleasant odor to something.
"She decided to scent the fresh linens with dried lavender before storing them away for the winter."
To discern, detect, or track by the sense of smell.
"The hounds immediately began to bark aggressively once they scented the fox hiding in the thick brush."
To sense or suspect the presence or approach of something (such as danger or an opportunity).
"Scenting an opportunity to expand into a lucrative new market, the ambitious CEO called an emergency board meeting."
Word Nuance & Usage
Scent is a homophone with 'cent' (a unit of currency) and 'sent' (the past tense of send), which require care to avoid spelling confusion.
• Rhymes for scent
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'sent', from Old French 'sentir' (to feel, smell), originating from Latin 'sentire'. The 'c' was erroneously added in the 17th century, likely by mistaken association with words like 'ascent' or 'science'.