sharp smell

USAGE SUMMARY

"sharp smell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a smell that is especially strong and intense. For example: "The sharp smell of ammonia filled the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"That sharp smell is from the sulfur compounds.

The New York Times - Food

The sharp smell of cheap eau de cologne.

The New Yorker

The sharp smell of rot was beginning to set in.

The Washington Post

He gave off a sharp smell of sodden carrion; flies buzzed around his wounds.

The New Yorker

"The sharp smell of the ink and the warm smell of the paper".

The Guardian

Yellow light pooled in the windows of log houses, and the sharp smell of wood smoke filled the air.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Now it was a summer afternoon of hot sidewalks and sharp smells and strangers, the air of the city thick with humidity under a heavy gray sky.

The New Yorker

But when coupled with the captain's romantic embrace of military virtue (and with the intervention of a sympathetic priest), such populism takes on the gunpowder-sharp smell of something like fascism.

The New York Times

Many researchers have speculated that once vision became sharper, smell became less critical for finding food and mates.

Science Magazine

Seeing that yellow canary, hearing that clear Middle C on a Steinway piano, smelling the sharp odor of anise, feeling a pain of the jab of the doctor's needle in receiving an injection — these types of conscious experience have a character of what-it-is-like, a character informed by conceptual content that is also "felt", on this view.

SEP

The animals' waste saturates the breeze with sharp-smelling ammonia, and a light veil of winter air pollution hangs over the city of Cape Town, which lies just to the north.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "sharp smell", consider specifying its source or quality for better clarity and impact. For instance, "the sharp smell of chlorine" or "the sharp, metallic smell of blood".

Common error

Avoid solely relying on "sharp" to describe smells. Combine it with other descriptive adjectives to convey a more nuanced and vivid sensory experience. Instead of just "sharp smell", try "sharp, acrid smell" or "sharp, chemical smell".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp smell" functions as a noun phrase, where "sharp" is an adjective modifying the noun "smell". This combination creates a vivid sensory description. Ludwig confirms this is a common and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sharp smell" effectively conveys a strong and often unpleasant odor. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While versatile, it's recommended to add more descriptive adjectives for a more nuanced sensory experience. Consider alternatives like "pungent odor" or "acrid aroma" to enhance your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acrid odor

Replaces "sharp" with "acrid" to emphasize a biting or irritating quality of the smell.

pungent aroma

Substitutes "sharp smell" with "pungent aroma" to describe a strong and penetrating scent.

intense scent

Replaces "sharp" with "intense" and "smell" with "scent" focusing on the strength of the odor.

strong odor

Uses "strong" instead of "sharp" to indicate the intensity of the smell.

distinct fragrance

Emphasizes the unique and easily identifiable nature of the smell.

powerful reek

Replaces "smell" with "reek" to denote a strong and unpleasant odor.

noticeable scent

Focuses on how easily the scent can be detected.

striking aroma

Highlights the remarkable or impressive quality of the aroma.

penetrating odor

Describes the smell's ability to permeate or spread.

overpowering scent

Emphasizes that the scent is very strong and difficult to ignore.

FAQs

How can I use "sharp smell" in a sentence?

You can use "sharp smell" to describe a strong and often unpleasant odor. For example, "The "sharp smell of ammonia" filled the laboratory."

What's a more descriptive alternative to "sharp smell"?

Consider using phrases like "pungent odor", "acrid aroma", or "intense scent" to add more detail.

Is "sharp smell" a positive or negative descriptor?

Generally, "sharp smell" implies a negative connotation, suggesting a strong and potentially irritating odor. However, context matters; the "sharp smell of pine" might evoke a pleasant memory.

Which is correct: "sharp smell" or "strong smell"?

Both "sharp smell" and "strong smell" are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Sharp" implies a piercing or cutting quality, while "strong" simply refers to intensity.