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
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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."
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Smell as a noun (physiology):
The sense that detects odours.
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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."
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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."
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Smell as a verb (intransitive, without a modifier):
To smell bad; to stink.
Examples:
"Ew, this stuff smells."
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Smell as a verb (intransitive, figurative):
To have a particular tincture or smack of any quality; to savour.
Examples:
"A report smells of calumny."
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Smell as a verb (obsolete):
To exercise sagacity.
Examples:
"rfquotek Shakespeare"
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Smell as a verb:
To detect or perceive; often with out.
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Smell as a verb (obsolete):
To give heed to.
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Stench as a noun:
a strong foul smell, a stink
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Stench as a noun (figurative):
a foul quality
Examples:
"the stench of political corruption"
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Stench as a noun (obsolete):
A smell or odour, not necessarily bad.
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Stench as a verb (obsolete):
To cause to emit a disagreeable odour; to cause to stink.
Examples:
"rfquotek Young"
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Stench as a verb:
To stanch.
Examples:
"rfquotek Harvey"