scent
/sent/ (bre, ipa) · /sent/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsent/ (ame, mw)
scent — noun
- scentsingular
- scentsplural
1. a smell, especially one that is pleasant and comes naturally from something in t
a smell, especially one that is pleasant and comes naturally from something in the environment, such as a flower, a plant, food, or the air around you.
The scent of fresh bread drew Wei into the little bakery on Green Street.
collocation: scent of [something]
A light floral scent filled the bedroom when Tamar opened the window.
adjective + scent: light floral scent
Paloma loved the sweet scent of the orange trees in her grandmother's garden.
The scent of coffee and cinnamon made the kitchen feel warm and inviting.
Élise picked a rose and enjoyed its gentle scent before putting it in a vase.
文法句型
scent of [something]
常見錯誤
2. an odour that lingers on the ground or in the air after a living thing moves thr
an odour that lingers on the ground or in the air after a living thing moves through a place, which hounds and other tracking animals can detect and follow back to its origin.
The police dogs picked up the man's scent and followed it through the park.
phrasal pattern: pick up the scent
A strong deer scent led the hunters deeper into the forest that morning.
The dogs lost the rabbit's scent at the edge of the river.
Quan could tell a fox had passed by from the scent left on the grass.
文法句型
follow the scent
pick up the scent
lose the scent
用法筆記
Often used with verbs like 'pick up', 'follow', 'catch', or 'lose'. This sense is almost always used in the context of tracking by animals, especially hunting or police work.
3. a sweet-smelling product that you spray or rub onto your body or clothing to giv
a sweet-smelling product that you spray or rub onto your body or clothing to give yourself a pleasing fragrance.
Before the party, Aaron put on his favourite scent and checked his hair.
collocation: favourite scent
Rania received a bottle of expensive scent for her birthday last month.
The shop sells women's scents made from flowers, fruits, and spices.
Obi bought a new scent at the airport before catching his flight to Tokyo.
文法句型
wear a scent
put on scent
用法筆記
'Perfume' and 'fragrance' are more common in advertising and product labelling; 'scent' is more neutral and used in everyday speech. In British English 'scent' is a common word for what Americans often call 'perfume' or 'cologne'.
常見錯誤
4. an inner sense that a particular thing exists, is real, or will happen soon, oft
an inner sense that a particular thing exists, is real, or will happen soon, often noticed before anything obvious confirms it.
A scent of trouble hung in the air as the two leaders argued loudly.
collocation: scent of [abstract]
There was a scent of victory when their team scored the first goal.
Folake caught a scent of danger and decided to leave the party early.
The teachers sensed a scent of change when the new principal arrived.
文法句型
scent of [abstract noun]
用法筆記
Almost always singular. Commonly appears in the phrase 'a/the scent of [abstract noun]' such as 'scent of victory', 'scent of danger', 'scent of change'. This is a figurative extension of the literal tracking sense.
scent — verb
- scentpresent simple I / you / we / they
- scents3rd person singular
- scenting-ing form
- scentedpast simple
1. (of an animal) to become aware of someone or something by picking up their smell
(of an animal) to become aware of someone or something by picking up their smell from the air or ground.
The old dog scented a rabbit hiding under the bushes near the fence.
The bear scented the food that campers had left in their tent overnight.
transitive: scent + noun phrase (object)
The neighbour's dog scented the smoke long before anyone in the house noticed it.
The wolf scented the injured deer from almost a kilometre away.
文法句型
scent + noun phrase
用法筆記
The subject is normally an animal (dog, wolf, bear, fox, horse, etc.). This verb is not used of humans in modern everyday English — for humans, use 'smell' or 'detect'. In literary or historical writing it may appear with a human subject.
常見錯誤
2. to begin to feel that something is happening or about to happen, especially some
to begin to feel that something is happening or about to happen, especially something exciting or unpleasant, before you have clear proof.
The team scented victory when the other side's best player was sent off.
collocation: scent victory
Beatrix scented that something was wrong when the office went completely silent.
pattern: scent + that-clause
Investors scented a good opportunity and quickly bought shares in the new company.
The cat scented danger and refused to come out from under the sofa.
文法句型
scent + noun phrase
scent + that-clause
用法筆記
Subject can be a person, group, or occasionally an animal. This figurative sense is common in sports commentary (scent victory) and business journalism (scent opportunity). It is more dramatic than 'sense' or 'feel'.