What does scent mean?
A scent is a distinctive smell, often one that is pleasant or memorable. The word can also refer to an invisible trail left by an odor, as in a hunting dog following a scent. As a verb, “scent” means to give off a smell, to detect something through smell, or to fill something with fragrance. It is especially associated with natural aromas, flowers, food, perfume, and animals. In figurative use, a scent can mean a faint indication that something is present, such as “a scent of corruption in the organization.” The word is useful because it covers both the immediate experience of smelling something and the idea of a lingering trace or clue.
A distinctive smell or odor, especially one perceived through the sense of smell.
"The scent of lavender filled the room."
Often used for a pleasant or distinctive smell, but it can also refer to an unpleasant odor.
A trail or indication of the presence of something, especially something detectable by smell.
"The dog picked up the scent of the lost hound."
This sense is common in hunting, tracking, and figurative contexts.
To give off or emit a smell; to detect or recognize something by its smell.
"The roses scent the evening air."
The detecting sense is somewhat literary or formal and is often used of animals or people tracking a source.
The plural is used for different smells or odor traces, as in “the scents of the garden,” and for individual examples of fragrance.
"Warm vanilla scents drifted from the shop."
A scent can reveal much more than an odor: it can tell a hunter where prey has passed, a dog which trail to follow, or a person that someone is nearby.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scent come from?
The word comes through Old French “sentir,” meaning “to smell” or “to perceive,” from the Latin “sentire,” “to feel” or “to perceive.” The English noun and verb developed in the Middle English period. The same Latin root also lies behind “sentient,” “sentiment,” and “sensation,” words concerning perception or feeling.
Related word forms
How scent is actually used
“Scent” is commonly used for a pleasant or distinctive smell, although it can also refer to an unpleasant odor. In the sense of an indication or trail, it often implies that the presence of something can be perceived or followed. The verb “scent” is somewhat literary or formal when it means to detect something by smell.
Easily confused with scent
“Scent” means a smell, odor, or olfactory trail, while “sent” is the past tense and past participle of “send.”