The difference between Odour and Smell

When used as nouns, odour means any smell, whether fragrant or offensive, whereas smell means a sensation, pleasant or unpleasant, detected by inhaling air (or, the case of water-breathing animals, water) carrying airborne molecules of a substance.


Smell is also verb with the meaning: to sense a smell or smells.

check bellow for the other definitions of Odour and Smell

  1. Odour as a noun:

    Any smell, whether fragrant or offensive; scent; perfume.

  2. Odour as a noun (now, _, rare):

    Something which produces a scent; incense, a perfume.

  1. Smell as a noun:

    A sensation, pleasant or unpleasant, detected by inhaling air (or, the case of water-breathing animals, water) carrying airborne molecules of a substance.

    Examples:

    "I love the smell of fresh bread."

  2. Smell as a noun (physiology):

    The sense that detects odours.

  1. Smell as a verb (transitive):

    To sense a smell or smells.

    Examples:

    "I can smell fresh bread."

    "'Smell the milk and tell me whether it's gone off."

  2. Smell as a verb (intransitive):

    To have a particular smell, whether good or bad; if descriptive, followed by "like" or "of".

    Examples:

    "The roses smell lovely."

    "Her feet smell of cheese."

    "The drunkard smelt like a brewery."

  3. Smell as a verb (intransitive, without a modifier):

    To smell bad; to stink.

    Examples:

    "Ew, this stuff smells."

  4. Smell as a verb (intransitive, figurative):

    To have a particular tincture or smack of any quality; to savour.

    Examples:

    "A report smells of calumny."

  5. Smell as a verb (obsolete):

    To exercise sagacity.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Shakespeare"

  6. Smell as a verb:

    To detect or perceive; often with out.

  7. Smell as a verb (obsolete):

    To give heed to.