noun
Uncommon
smelling
SMEH-lihng
Smelling (noun) means the act of detecting something by odor. Example: “The dog's constant smelling of the ground meant it had picked up a scent.”
noun
1
The act of detecting something by odor.
"The dog's constant smelling of the ground meant it had picked up a scent."
How to use smelling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of using your nose to detect a smell.
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Word forms
- Plural
- smellings
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The dog's constant _____ of the ground meant it had picked up a scent.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for smelling
telling
welling
selling
yelling
felling
spelling
dwelling
swelling
shelling
gruelling
modelling
expelling
See all rhymes for smelling →
Frequently asked questions
What does “smelling” mean?
The word “smelling” means the act of detecting something by odor. In plain terms, the act of using your nose to detect a smell.
How do you pronounce “smelling”?
“Smelling” is pronounced SMEH-lihng (/ˈsmɛlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “smelling” in a sentence?
Here is “smelling” used in a sentence: “The dog's constant smelling of the ground meant it had picked up a scent.”
What part of speech is “smelling”?
“Smelling” is a noun.
Is “smelling” a common word?
“Smelling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between smelling and sniffing?
Smelling refers generally to the act of detecting something by odor, while sniffing specifically involves short, audible inhalations through the nose to pick up a smell.
Is smelling used mainly as a noun or as a verb form?
Smelling functions as a noun referring to the act of detecting odor, though it is also the present participle of the verb "smell."
