The difference between Smell and Stench

When used as nouns, 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, whereas stench means a strong foul smell, a stink.

When used as verbs, smell means to sense a smell or smells, whereas stench means to cause to emit a disagreeable odour.


check bellow for the other definitions of Smell and Stench

  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.

  1. Stench as a noun:

    a strong foul smell, a stink

  2. Stench as a noun (figurative):

    a foul quality

    Examples:

    "the stench of political corruption"

  3. Stench as a noun (obsolete):

    A smell or odour, not necessarily bad.

  1. Stench as a verb (obsolete):

    To cause to emit a disagreeable odour; to cause to stink.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Young"

  2. Stench as a verb:

    To stanch.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Harvey"