odour

//ˈoʊdər//

Nouns
B2

Translation

odour

Definition

An odour is a distinctive smell, often one that is unpleasant or easily noticed. This noun refers to the scent or aroma that something emits, which can be detected by the nose. Odours can be natural, like the smell of flowers or food, or artificial, such as those from chemicals or perfumes. In everyday language, 'odour' is commonly used to describe strong or offensive smells, but it can also refer to any kind of smell in a neutral or scientific context. For example, a kitchen might have the odour of cooking spices, while a garbage bin may produce a foul odour. The word is more formal than 'smell' and is often used in discussions about air quality, hygiene, or sensory perception.

Example

  • The odour of fresh bread filled the bakery.

  • A strange odour came from the old refrigerator.

  • The flowers gave off a sweet odour in the garden.

  • He noticed a chemical odour in the laboratory.

  • The odour of smoke lingered in the room after the fire.

  • A foul odour from the drain made the kitchen unpleasant.

  • The perfume had a floral odour that lasted all day.

  • They used air freshener to mask the odour of paint.

  • The odour of rain on dry earth is called petrichor.

  • A strong odour of garlic came from the kitchen.

Synonyms

smell
scent
aroma
fragrance
stench

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