scent
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
scents
plural
scents
Britannica Dictionary definition of SCENT
1
[count]
a
:
a pleasant smell that is produced by something
-
The flower has a wonderful scent.
-
the scent of flowers/perfume
b
:
a smell that is left by an animal or person and that can be sensed and followed by some animals (such as dogs)
— often used figuratively
-
The dogs followed the fox's scent.
-
The prisoner escaped because the dogs lost his scent.
-
The reporter was on the scent of a big story. [=was following/investigating a big story]
-
Scientists are on the scent of a cure. [=are looking for and are close to finding a cure]
-
He was being investigated by federal officials but he somehow managed to put them off the/his scent.
2
[singular]
a
:
a slight indication of something that is going to happen or that might happen
-
There was a scent [=hint] of trouble in the air. [=trouble was developing]
b
:
a quality that suggests or shows the existence of something
-
Her story has a/the scent of truth. [=her story seems to be true]
3
2
scent
/ˈsɛnt/
verb
scents;
scented;
scenting
2
scent
/ˈsɛnt/
verb
scents;
scented;
scenting
Britannica Dictionary definition of SCENT
[+ object]
1
:
to become aware of (something) by smell
— often used figuratively
-
The dog scented a rabbit.
-
We scented [=sensed, detected] trouble and left.
-
The reporter scented a big story.
2
:
to give (something) a pleasing smell
— often used as (be) scented
-
Roses scented [=perfumed] the air.
-
She scented her handkerchief.
-
She scented the air with perfume.
-
The room was scented by the flowers.
-
The air was scented with/by her perfume.
