scent
gb/sˈɛnt/ us/sˈɛnt/
A2
English
~ 5000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
a distinctive smell
A smell that something has, especially one that is easy to notice.
Usage pattern:
the scent of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'scent' with 'sense'. 'Scent' is about smell, while 'sense' is about ability to feel or understand.
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.)
Collocations
sweet scent
|fresh scent
|faint scent
|pleasant scent
|distinctive scent
Themes
daily life
|nature
|senses
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The scent of fresh roses filled the room.
- She caught the faint scent of perfume as she walked by.
- 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.
- The flower has a nice scent.
- The scent of coffee is strong.
- I smelled the scent of rain.
- The candle has a sweet scent.
Noun
B1
entity
2
trail of smell for tracking
A smell left behind that can be followed to find where someone or something went.
Usage pattern:
pick up the scent of [something/someone]
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.)
Collocations
pick up a scent
|lose the scent
|follow a scent
Themes
nature
|animals
|tracking
Examples
- The dog picked up the scent and ran ahead.
- The hunters lost the scent in the rain.
- 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.
- Rain can wash away the scent.
- The cat left a scent in the garden.
- They lost the scent in the forest.
Verb
B2
action
3
to detect by smelling
To notice something by using your nose to smell it.
Usage pattern:
scent [something]
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.)
Collocations
scent danger
|scent prey
Themes
senses
|daily life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The dog scented the rabbit and gave chase.
- She scented perfume in the air.
- The fox scented danger and ran away.
Learner examples
- The dog scented the food.
- I scented flowers in the garden.
- He scented smoke in the house.
Verb
B1
action
4
to add fragrance to something
To put a nice smell on something using perfume or other scents.
Usage pattern:
scent [something] with [something]
Synonyms
perfume (Specifically means to apply perfume; often more formal.)
Antonyms
deodorize (To remove smells, rather than add them.)
Collocations
scented candle
|scented soap
Themes
daily life
|personal care
|daily_life
Examples
- She scented her letters with lavender oil.
- The room was scented with fresh flowers.
- They scented the bath with rose petals.
Learner examples
- She scented her hair with oil.
- I scented the room with flowers.
- They scented the soap with lemon.
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.