What does smelling mean?
Smelling is the present participle of the verb “smell” and can also function independently as an adjective. In its adjectival use, it describes something that gives off a noticeable odor, without necessarily implying that the odor is unpleasant: a perfume may be “smelling sweet,” while spoiled food is “smelling bad.” In a participial construction, it identifies an activity involving the perception of scent, as in “She was smelling a flower.” The form is especially useful when the nature or direction of the odor matters: “smelling of lavender” indicates that something emits the scent of lavender, while “smelling the roses” describes perceiving their fragrance. Although “smelly” is more common in informal speech, “smelling” is more precise and neutral in many written contexts. It also serves grammatically before another word, as in “a strongly smelling animal,” though alternatives such as “an animal with a strong smell” may sound more natural in formal prose.
Giving off a noticeable odor.
"The kitchen was full of something warm and sweet-smelling."
The connotation depends on context: the word can be neutral or favourable when describing an appealing odor, but negative when describing an unpleasant one.
The present participle of smell, used to describe the perception or emission of an odor.
"I could smell smoke from the other room."
As a participle, it may stand alone before a following noun, as in “smelling salts,” or form part of a progressive verb construction.
A word can be smelling without being smelly: the first reports an odor, while the second usually delivers the complaint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does smelling come from?
The form developed as the present participle and gerund of “smell,” combining the verb with the usual English ending -ing. “Smell” itself has roots in Old English, while the participial form was established during the Middle English period and has long been capable of adjectival use independently of a following verb.
Related word forms
How smelling is actually used
When used independently, “smelling” is usually adjectival and may be neutral, positive, or negative. It is less common in everyday speech than “smelly,” which normally has an unfavourable connotation.
Easily confused with smelling
Smelling can neutrally describe anything giving off an odor, whereas smelly usually means that an odor is noticeable and often unpleasant.