ENGLISH
REFERENCE

smelled

v.
A1 Beginner US //ˈsmɛɫd// UK //smˈɛld// smelled

v. used the nose to notice a scent or had a specific scent yourself.

v. past tense and past participle of 'smell'; refers to the perception of an odour via the olfactory nerves or the emission of a scent.


SIMPLE

The kitchen smelled like fresh bread this morning.

CONTEXTUAL

She smelled the flowers as she walked through the garden and smiled at their sweet scent.

COMPLEX

The old library smelled faintly of damp paper and leather bindings, a scent that immediately transported him back to his university days.

Synonyms
Usage

Can be used as a linking verb followed by an adjective or as a transitive verb taking a direct object.

Pitfall

The soup smelled well.The soup smelled good.When 'smell' is a linking verb describing a quality, it takes an adjective rather than an adverb.

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