scent
gb/sˈɛnt/ us/sˈɛnt/
A2
English
~ 5000
illat, szag, szagnyom, megérez, kiszagol, illatosít
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
the scent of [something]
The scent of fresh roses filled the room.
A friss rózsák illata betöltötte a szobát.
She caught the faint scent of perfume as she walked by.
Ahogy elsétált mellette, megérezte a parfüm halvány illatát.
The forest was full of the scent of pine trees.
His jacket carried the scent of smoke.
The bakery's warm scent made me hungry.
Learner examples
I like the scent of fresh bread.
Szeretem a friss kenyér illatát.
The flower has a nice scent.
A virágnak kellemes illata van.
The scent of coffee is strong.
I smelled the scent of rain.
The candle has a sweet scent.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'scent' with 'sense'. 'Scent' is about smell, while 'sense' is about ability to feel or understand.
Meaning
a distinctive smell
Collocations
sweet scent
|fresh scent
|faint scent
|pleasant scent
|distinctive scent
Synonyms
aroma (Often used for pleasant or appetizing smells, especially from food or drink.)
|
odor (Neutral term for any smell, but can often have a negative connotation.)
Antonyms
stench (A very bad and strong smell, opposite of a pleasant or neutral scent.)
Themes
daily life
|nature
|senses
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A smell that something has, especially one that is easy to notice.
A distinctive smell or aroma produced by a person, animal, plant, or object.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
pick up the scent of [something/someone]
The dog picked up the scent and ran ahead.
A kutya szagot fogott, és előrerohant.
The hunters lost the scent in the rain.
A vadászok az esőben elvesztették a szagnyomot.
Wild animals use their noses to follow a scent trail.
The police dogs were on the scent of the missing child.
Learner examples
The dog can follow the scent.
A kutya követni tudja a szagnyomot.
Rain can wash away the scent.
Az eső elmoshatja a szagnyomot.
The cat left a scent in the garden.
They lost the scent in the forest.
Meaning
trail of smell for tracking
Collocations
pick up a scent
|lose the scent
|follow a scent
Synonyms
trail (A general term for a path or sign left behind; not limited to smell.)
Antonyms
concealment (The act of hiding traces or signs, including smells.)
Themes
nature
|animals
|tracking
Definition
A smell left behind that can be followed to find where someone or something went.
A trace of smell left behind by a person, animal, or object, which can be followed.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
scent [something]
The dog scented the rabbit and gave chase.
A kutya kiszagolta a nyulat, és üldözőbe vette.
She scented perfume in the air.
Megérezte a parfüm illatát a levegőben.
The fox scented danger and ran away.
Learner examples
The dog scented the food.
A kutya megérezte az étel szagát.
I scented flowers in the garden.
Megéreztem a virágok illatát a kertben.
He scented smoke in the house.
Meaning
to detect by smelling
Collocations
scent danger
|scent prey
Synonyms
smell (More common and general verb for detecting odors; 'scent' can sound more deliberate or animal-like.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not notice something, including smells.)
Themes
senses
|daily life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To notice something by using your nose to smell it.
To detect or become aware of something through the sense of smell.
VERB
B1
4
illatosít
B1
Usage pattern:
scent [something] with [something]
She scented her letters with lavender oil.
Levendulaolajjal illatosította a leveleit.
The room was scented with fresh flowers.
A szobát friss virágok illatosították.
They scented the bath with rose petals.
Learner examples
She scented her hair with oil.
Olajjal illatosította a haját.
I scented the room with flowers.
Virágokkal illatosítottam a szobát.
They scented the soap with lemon.
Meaning
to add fragrance to something
Collocations
scented candle
|scented soap
Synonyms
perfume (Specifically means to apply perfume; often more formal.)
Antonyms
deodorize (To remove smells, rather than add them.)
Themes
daily life
|personal care
|daily_life
Definition
To put a nice smell on something using perfume or other scents.
To give something a pleasant smell by applying perfume or another fragrant substance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scent
IPA
GB/sˈɛnt/
US/sˈɛnt/
Syllables & stress
scent (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (scent)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: scent
- Plural: scent, scents
Verb
- Base: scent
- 3rd Person Singular: scents
- Present Participle: scenting
- Past: scented
Word family
Forms
scents
noun
scenting
verb
scented
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unscented
adjective
scentless
adjective
Expressions
lose the scent
1/lˈuz ðə sˈɛnt/
idiom
stop being able to follow clues or evidence
To not be able to follow clues anymore to find something.
Examples
- The dogs lost the scent after the rain started.
- We lost the scent halfway through our investigation.
on the scent
1/ˈɔn ðə sˈɛnt/
idiom
actively pursuing clues to find something
Trying to find something by following clues or signs.
Examples
- The detectives are on the scent of the thief.
- Scientists are on the scent of a new cure for the disease.
pick up the scent
1/pˈɪk ˈʌp ðə sˈɛnt/
idiom
begin following clues or evidence to find something
To start following clues or smells to find someone or something.
Examples
- The hounds picked up the scent quickly.
- Investigators picked up the scent after finding new evidence.