lost the odor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost the odor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where a smell or scent has disappeared or is no longer detectable. Example: "After the rain, the flowers lost the odor that had filled the air earlier in the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If it touched the juice within 3 min after passing the center toward the dark side, it was considered to have lost the odor-aversion memory.

Plosone

Not only is the olfactory system subject to the specific histological abnormalities, but patients also lose the capacities to detect, identify, and discriminate between odors.

Animal Models for the Study of Human Disease

In this context, getting a repetitive passive exposure would require either a very long time (to reach enough trials) or to select mice that are very curious (i.e., mice that do not lose interest in sampling the odor).

eLife

Likewise, we noticed that in a pseudo-randomized odor-reward association, animals tend to lose interest in odor sampling.

eLife

Those chemical profiles -- or odors -- are usually lost on the naked nose, but they are nevertheless a byproduct of sickness.

The New York Times

The odor was unbelievable.

The New York Times

The odor was rank.

The New York Times

"The odor seduced me.

The New York Times

Then there's the odor.

The New York Times

The odor is so bad.

The New York Times

She then noticed the odor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost the odor", ensure the context clearly establishes what initially possessed the odor and the circumstances leading to its disappearance. For instance, "The flowers lost the odor after the rain washed away the pollen."

Common error

Avoid using "lose the odor" when referring to a past event; instead, use "lost the odor". "Lose the odor" is only appropriate for present or future scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost the odor" functions as a declarative statement indicating the disappearance of a particular smell. It's a common way to describe the absence of an expected or previously present scent, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost the odor" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe the disappearance of a particular smell. According to Ludwig, while being valid in writing, it may be better to use a different, more evocative description of the loss of the odor to better appeal to the reader, such as "the scent faded away" or "the smell vanished". Its neutrality makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. Remember to use the past tense "lost" and ensure the context clearly defines what originally possessed the odor and how it disappeared. There are a few examples provided by Ludwig regarding this phrase, but can safely be considered uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

odor disappeared

Directly states the smell is no longer present.

scent faded away

Indicates a gradual decline and eventual disappearance of the scent.

smell vanished

Emphasizes the sudden disappearance of the smell.

aroma dissipated

Suggests the smell spread out and thinned until it was no longer noticeable.

fragrance was gone

Simply states the absence of a pleasant smell.

the smell abated

Indicates a reduction in intensity and eventual disappearance of the smell.

no longer smelled it

Focuses on the inability to perceive the smell.

odor was undetectable

Highlights the inability to detect the odor, potentially due to a weakened sense of smell or low concentration.

the air was odorless

Describes the air as lacking any smell.

scent was imperceptible

The scent was so weak that it was impossible to perceive.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lost the odor"?

Consider alternatives such as "the scent faded away", "the smell vanished", or "the aroma dissipated" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. You can explore other options like "odor disappeared" or "fragrance was gone".

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost the odor"?

Yes, "lost the odor" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of "lose" to indicate that a smell or scent is no longer present. The phrase is commonly used in various contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. You can replace it with more descriptive adjectives such as "no longer smelled it".

In what situations can I use the phrase "lost the odor"?

You can use "lost the odor" to describe anything that once had a smell but no longer does. For example, "The room lost the odor of smoke after airing it out" or "The perfume lost the odor after several hours". A more elegant way of describing such event could be "smell vanished" or "scent faded away".

What is the difference between "lost the odor" and "removed the odor"?

"Lost the odor" implies that the smell disappeared on its own or due to natural causes, while "removed the odor" implies that an action was taken to eliminate the smell. For example, "The flowers lost the odor after it rained" versus "We removed the odor with air freshener". A closer alternative can be "odor disappeared".