Words / C2

ol-FAKT-uh-ree/ɒlˈfæktəri/

Olfactory means of the sense of smell (technical / formal): olfactory nerve, olfactory cue. Smell (already in the dictionary) is the everyday noun and verb; aroma and odour are the things smelled. Noisome (already in the dictionary) is foul-smelling. Do not joke an olfactory complaint out of the health minute.

Meaning

Relating to the sense of smell (technical / formal).

Examples

• “An olfactory complaint about the cupboard is still a health item.”
• “Smell is everyday (already in the dictionary). Odour is the thing detected. Aromatic is of a pleasant smell. Noisome is foul (already in C2). Olfactory is the faculty, not the stink. A drain can be a health finding. Extraction is the action; the adjective is not a punchline.”

Good to know

Of the sense of smell (technical). Everyday: smell. Cousin: odour (the thing smelled). Noisome is foul (already in C2). A smell can be a health item.

Near in meaning

smell

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