scents
scents — noun
- scentssingular
- scentsesplural
1. the nice smell that naturally comes from flowers, plants, or food, which you not
the nice smell that naturally comes from flowers, plants, or food, which you notice when you go near them or enter a place where they are.
The sweet scent of jasmine filled the garden as Nora stepped outside.
collocation: sweet scent of [flower]
Andrés walked into the kitchen, and the scent of baked bread made him hungry.
collocation: scent of [food] filling a space
This candle has a light, clean scent that reminds Kemi of fresh laundry.
The scent of pine trees mixed with damp earth after the rain in the forest.
用法筆記
Often paired with adjectives such as 'sweet', 'fresh', 'light', or 'rich' that describe the quality of the smell. Countable when talking about a specific type of smell; uncountable when referring to the general property.
常見錯誤
2. a particular smell that an animal or person leaves behind as they move, which an
a particular smell that an animal or person leaves behind as they move, which another animal can follow to find them.
The hunting dogs picked up the fox's scent near the edge of the woods.
collocation: pick up / follow / lose the scent
The wolf lost the deer's scent at the river and stopped to sniff the air.
Minho watched the tracker dogs follow the scent trail across the dry grass.
Police used a dog to catch the missing child's scent and track her location.
用法筆記
Common in hunting, tracking, and crime-investigation contexts. The verbs most often used with this sense are 'pick up', 'follow', 'lose', and 'catch'.
3. a liquid containing natural or artificial oils that has a pleasant smell and is
a liquid containing natural or artificial oils that has a pleasant smell and is applied to the body to create a nice personal fragrance.
Jisoo puts on her favourite scent before going to work each morning.
collocation: wear a scent / put on a scent
The shop sells expensive French scents made from natural rose and lavender oils.
Nellie received a bottle of her favourite scent as a birthday gift from her sister.
Quan prefers light citrus scents over heavy, sweet perfumes.
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, 'perfume' is more common in American English for this meaning, while 'scent' is used more in product descriptions and marketing. 'Fragrance' is a formal alternative.
常見錯誤
scents — verb
- scentspresent simple I / you / we / they
- scentses3rd person singular
- scentsing-ing form
- scentsedpast simple
1. to fill a room, area, or object with a pleasant smell, either naturally or by ad
to fill a room, area, or object with a pleasant smell, either naturally or by adding something aromatic.
Fresh lavender flowers scented the entire living room after Noor placed them on the table.
passive: room was scented with [flower]
Adina lit beeswax candles that scented the whole bedroom with warm vanilla and honey.
scent + object + with + fragrance (active verb pattern)
The morning air was scented with wild roses that grew along the garden wall.
Sivan's grandmother scented the kitchen drawer with dried orange peel and cinnamon sticks.
文法句型
scent + object + with + noun
用法筆記
Common in passive constructions ('was scented with'). The agent is often a natural source (flowers, herbs) or a scented product (candle, oil). The result is always a pleasant smell.
常見錯誤
2. to notice or identify something such as smoke, gas, or food by using your sense
to notice or identify something such as smoke, gas, or food by using your sense of smell, usually in a way that prompts you to act.
Kemi scented smoke in the hallway and called the fire department.
scent + [substance] prompts action
The teacher scented gas leaking from the old heater and evacuated the classroom.
Nora scented fresh coffee as she walked past the café and decided to go inside.
Emre scented something burning in the kitchen and rushed in to check the oven.
文法句型
scent + object
用法筆記
The object is usually a substance that has a strong or distinctive odour (smoke, gas, burning, coffee). Unlike verb sense 3 (ANIMAL DETECTION), the subject is typically a person, and the detection is immediate rather than from a distance.
3. when an animal becomes aware of a person or another creature nearby by using its
when an animal becomes aware of a person or another creature nearby by using its powerful sense of smell, often detecting them from a distance or through obstacles.
The bear scented the campers from nearly two kilometres away and changed direction.
scent + object at a distance
Samir's dog scented a rabbit hiding under the bushes and began to dig excitedly.
The tiger scented the village livestock and crept closer through the tall grass at night.
The search dog scented the lost hiker under a pile of fallen leaves.
文法句型
scent + object
用法筆記
The subject is always an animal with a strong sense of smell. The object can be a person, another animal, or a location. The verb implies detection at a distance, not immediate contact.
4. to develop a strong feeling that something is happening or about to happen, espe
to develop a strong feeling that something is happening or about to happen, especially when it is not yet obvious to other people.
The reporter scented a major political scandal and began making phone calls immediately.
scent + abstract noun (scandal / trouble / victory)
Sahil scented trouble when he saw the manager's door closed on a Monday morning.
The army commander scented victory after the enemy forces began to retreat.
Lakan scented that something was wrong when no one answered the phone at the office.
文法句型
scent + abstract noun
用法筆記
Always figurative. The object is typically an abstract noun such as 'scandal', 'trouble', 'danger', or 'victory'. This sense is more common in journalism, politics, and competitive contexts than in everyday speech.