characteristic smell

collocation in English

meaningsofcharacteristicandsmell

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withsmell.
characteristic
adjective
uk
/ˌkær.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/us
/ˌker.ək.təˈrɪs.tɪk/
typical of a person ...
See more atcharacteristic
smell
noun
uk
/smel/us
/smel/
the characteristic of something that can be recognized or noticed using ...
See more atsmell

(Definition ofcharacteristicandsmellfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofcharacteristic smell

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
The complaint received by the local authority related to thecharacteristicsmellfrom the plant.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
At low concentrations, thecharacteristicsmellof rotten eggs and the accompanying eye irritation will be noticed.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Unburnt or partly burnt fuel has acharacteristicsmellwhich is generally unpleasant in certain conditions, such as a traffic jam on a still day.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is easily recognizable by thecharacteristicsmellof bitumen from its leaves.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Diesel exhaust is known for itscharacteristicsmell, but this has largely disappeared in recent years following reductions in sulfur content.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
The gases form bubbles in muscle (crepitus) and thecharacteristicsmellin decomposing tissue.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Osmium powder has thecharacteristicsmellof osmium tetroxide.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Industrial plasticine is based on wax and typically contains sulfur, which gives acharacteristicsmellto most artificial clays.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
This colorless, flammable liquid with acharacteristicsmellis mainly used as a solvent.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
One of the ketone bodies, acetone, is released by the lungs and has acharacteristicsmellof overripe fruit or nail polish remover.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
The benzopyrrole volatiles indole and skatole actually have a mothball type smell, and therefore probably do not contribute greatly to thecharacteristicsmellof flatus.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
The stand, which lines either side of the road for more than a mile, providing shade and acharacteristicsmell.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These waters have acharacteristicsmellreminiscent of rotten eggs because of their sulfur content.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
The name was probably given because the waters have acharacteristicsmellthat reminds one of rotten eggs, due to the presence of sulfur.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Sulfides have acharacteristicsmell, especially as samples are fractured, reacting, or powdered.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
The rootstocks are multichambered and contain a yellowish oily liquid which turns reddish brown on exposure to air and emits acharacteristicsmellof raw parsnip.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
The agent which gives the fungus its distinctive odour is sotolon, which also gives fenugreek seed and lovage their characteristic smells.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
They are also valued for the characteristic smelling and tasting honey that is produced from them.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Homecoming salmon can also recognise characteristic smells in tributary streams as they move up the main river.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofcharacteristic
Go to the definition ofsmell
See other collocations withsmell